U.S. patent application number 15/305681 was filed with the patent office on 2017-02-16 for novel thioamide-modified peptides and uses thereof.
The applicant listed for this patent is PRESIDENT AND FELLOWS OF HARVARD COLLEGE, THE TRUSTEES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA. Invention is credited to E. James PETERSSON, Alan SAGHATELIAN.
Application Number | 20170044231 15/305681 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 54359244 |
Filed Date | 2017-02-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170044231 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
PETERSSON; E. James ; et
al. |
February 16, 2017 |
NOVEL THIOAMIDE-MODIFIED PEPTIDES AND USES THEREOF
Abstract
The invention includes a thioamide-modified peptide, wherein the
thioamide modification increases the in vivo half-life of the
peptide. The invention further includes methods of treating or
preventing a disease or disorder in a subject in need thereof, the
method comprising administering to the subject a thioamide-modified
peptide of the invention.
Inventors: |
PETERSSON; E. James;
(Wynnewood, PA) ; SAGHATELIAN; Alan; (Somerville,
MA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
THE TRUSTEES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA
PRESIDENT AND FELLOWS OF HARVARD COLLEGE |
Philadelphia
Cambridge |
PA
MA |
US
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
54359244 |
Appl. No.: |
15/305681 |
Filed: |
April 28, 2015 |
PCT Filed: |
April 28, 2015 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US15/28008 |
371 Date: |
October 21, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61985045 |
Apr 28, 2014 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61K 38/00 20130101;
C07K 14/605 20130101; A61K 38/26 20130101; A61K 9/0019 20130101;
C07K 1/1136 20130101 |
International
Class: |
C07K 14/605 20060101
C07K014/605; C07K 1/113 20060101 C07K001/113; A61K 9/00 20060101
A61K009/00; A61K 38/26 20060101 A61K038/26 |
Claims
1. A peptide, or a salt or solvate thereof, comprising at least one
selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:2, 11-18, 20, 22,
24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48 and 50-51,
wherein the C-terminus of the peptide is optionally amide
protected.
2. A pharmaceutical composition comprising at least one peptide of
claim 1 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
3. The composition of claim 2, further comprising at least one
additional agent useful for treating or preventing a disease or
disorder in a subject.
4. The composition of claim 3, wherein the peptide comprises at
least one selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:2,
11-14, 16-18, 20, 22, 48 and 51, and the disease or disorder
comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of
diabetes and obesity.
5. The composition of claim 3, wherein the peptide comprises SEQ ID
NO:15, and the disease or disorder comprises at least one selected
from the group consisting of hypertension and congestive heart
failure.
6. A method of stabilizing a peptide against protease hydrolysis,
the method comprising modifying with a thioamide the peptidic bond
that the protease hydrolyzes, wherein the protease comprises at
least one selected from the group consisting of DPP-4 and
carboxypeptidase.
7. The method of claim 6, wherein the thioamide is formed between
the second and third amino acid residues from the N-terminus of the
peptide.
8. The method of claim 6, wherein the peptide comprises at least
one selected from the group consisting of GIP, OXM, GLP-1, NPY,
GHRH, ENT, and BNP.
9. The method of claim 6, wherein (i) the thioamide-modified
peptide has equivalent biological activity to the peptide, or (ii)
the thioamide-modified peptide has longer in vivo half-life than
the peptide.
10. (canceled)
11. A method of treating or preventing diabetes or obesity in a
subject in need thereof, wherein the method comprises administering
to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a
pharmaceutical composition comprising a thioamide-modified
peptide.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein the thioamide-modified peptide
comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID
NOs:2, 11-14, 16-18, 20, 22, 48, and 51, or a salt or solvate
thereof.
13. The method of claim 11, wherein the thioamide-modified peptide
has at least one effect selected from the group consisting of:
stimulate insulin production in the subject, suppress glucagon
secretion in the subject, inhibit gastric emptying in the subject,
reduce appetite in the subject, and reduce food intake in the
subject.
14. The method of claim 11, further comprising administering at
least one additional agent useful for treating or preventing at
least one selected from the group consisting of diabetes and
obesity in the subject.
15. (canceled)
16. The method of claim 11, wherein the composition is administered
to the subject by at least one route selected from the group
consisting of nasal, inhalational, topical, oral, buccal, rectal,
pleural, peritoneal, vaginal, intramuscular, subcutaneous,
transdermal, epidural, intratracheal, otic, intraocular,
intrathecal, and intravenous routes.
17. (canceled)
18. A method of treating or preventing a cardiac disease or
disorder in a subject in need thereof, wherein the method comprises
administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of
a pharmaceutical composition comprising a thioamide-modified
peptide.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein the thioamide-modified peptide
comprises SEQ ID NO:15, or a salt or solvate thereof.
20. The method of claim 19, wherein the cardiac disease or disorder
comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of
hypertension and congestive heart failure.
21. The method of claim 18, further comprising administering at
least one additional agent useful for treating or preventing the
cardiac disease or disorder in the subject.
22. (canceled)
23. The method of claim 18, wherein the composition is administered
to the subject by at least one route selected from the group
consisting of nasal, inhalational, topical, oral, buccal, rectal,
pleural, peritoneal, vaginal, intramuscular, subcutaneous,
transdermal, epidural, intratracheal, otic, intraocular,
intrathecal, and intravenous routes.
24. (canceled)
25. A kit comprising a thioamide-modified peptide, and an
instructional material for use thereof, wherein the instructional
material comprises instructions for treating or preventing a
disease or disorder in a subject using the thioamide-modified
peptide.
26. The kit of claim 25, wherein the kit further comprises at least
one additional agent that treats or prevents the disease or
disorder in the subject.
27. The kit of claim 25, wherein the thioamide-modified peptide
comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID
NOs:2, 11-18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44,
46, 48, 50, and 51.
28. The kit of claim 25, wherein the disease or disorder is at
least one selected from the group consisting of diabetes, obesity,
hypertension and congestive heart failure.
29. (canceled)
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/985,045, filed
Apr. 28, 2014, which application is hereby incorporated by
reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] In recent years, there has been significant interest in the
development of biologic drugs, including peptide biologics
(Multard, 2013, Nat. Rev. Drug Discovery 12:329-332; Projan, et
al., 2004, Expert Opin. Biol. Therapy 4:1345-1350; Verdine, et al.,
2007, Clin. Cancer Res. 13:7264-7270). Peptide biologics have
distinct advantages over small molecule drugs. Biologics are
typically based on natural bioactive peptides (such as hormones and
neuropeptides), and this makes the identification of a "lead
compound" much easier than the identification of a small molecule
lead compound (Buse, et al., 2009, Lancet 374:39-47; Kreymann, et
al., 1987, Lancet 330:1300-1304).
[0003] Unfortunately, peptides generally make poor drugs because
they undergo rapid proteolysis in vivo, leading to unfavorable
pharmacokinetics (Weber, 2004, J. Med. Chern. 47:4135-4141). As a
consequence, much of the time in development of peptide biologics
is spent on modifying the peptide to reduce proteolysis, while
maintaining biological activity (Buse, et al., 2009, Lancet
374:39-47; DeFronzo, et al., 2005, Diabetes Care 28:1092-1100).
Some of the strategies reported in the art make use of the
incorporation of unnatural amino acids (such as D-amino acids or
.beta.-amino acids) into the peptidic chain to overcome proteolysis
(Bird, et al., 2010, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 107:14093-14098; Sato,
et al., 2006, Curr. Opin. Biotechnol. 27:638-642). Such approaches
require identification of appropriate modification sites and are
generally time consuming and often met with failure.
[0004] Heart disease is two times more common among obese adults
and four times more common among diabetic adults, and consistently
these conditions affect large numbers of U.S. adults, where 35% of
adults are obese and 27% of those 65 and older have diabetes (90%
of diabetes cases are Type 2). Both conditions are strongly
regulated by peptide hormones and thus amenable to therapeutic
intervention. Aside from insulin and glucagon, one of the most well
characterized peptides in this class is the gut-derived incretin
hormone glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) (Kreymann, et al., 1987,
Lancet 330:1300-1304).
[0005] The GLP-1 7-36 residue fragment, which is referred to simply
as "GLP-1" hereinafter (SEQ ID NO:1), stimulates insulin and
suppresses glucagon secretion, inhibits gastric emptying, and
reduces appetite and food intake (Drucker, et al., 2006, Lancet
368:1696-1705). Glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) is a
phenomenon wherein certain compounds (natural or synthetic) augment
the release of insulin from pancreatic .beta.-cell islets in the
presence of glucose. These reagents have no effect on insulin
secretion in the absence of glucose, and display two advantages
over direct stimulators of insulin secretion. First, since they
only cause increased insulin secretion in the presence of glucose,
they augment the natural physiological mechanism for insulin
secretion. Second, compounds that directly stimulate insulin
secretion can cause .beta.-cell stress and lead to the death of
these vital cells (Maedler, et al., 2005, J. Clin. Endocrinol.
Metab. 90:501-506). However, simple treatment by GLP-1 injection is
not feasible because it is inactivated through proteolytic cleavage
by dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP-4) with a half-life of less than 2
minutes (Kim, et al., 2008, Pharmacol. Rev. 60:470-512). DPP-4
preferentially cleaves after Pro or Ala residues penultimate to the
N-terminus and functions as the principal determinant of the
circulating half-life for GLP-1 and many other peptides that affect
cardiac health (Mentlein, et al., 1993, Eur. J. Biochem.
214:829-835).
[0006] Therapeutic approaches for enhancing incretin action include
both degradation-resistant GLP-1 receptor (GLP-1R) agonists and
inhibitors of DPP-4 activity. Two stabilized incretin mimetics are
currently prescribed as injectables taken between once daily and
once weekly: exenatide (Byetta.RTM., SEQ ID NO:3) and liraglutide
(Victoza.RTM., SEQ ID NO:4). Both induce reductions in fasting,
postprandial blood glucose concentrations and hemoglobin Alc
(1-2%), which is associated with weight loss (2-5 kg). These
incretin mimetics also expand pancreatic 13-cell mass, and have
emerged, along with DPP-4 inhibitors such as sitagliptin
(Januvia.RTM.), as viable treatments for Type 2 diabetes (Drucker,
et al., 2006, Lancet 368:1696-1705). While they act along the same
hormone signaling axis, the two types of therapies are not mutually
exclusive, as DPP-4 inhibitors fail to produce some desirable
effects of the peptidomimetics such as appetite suppression and
weight loss. Moreover, there is concern that DPP-4 inhibition could
increase the risk of cancer (Stulc, et al., 2010, Diabetes Res.
Clin. Pract. 88:125-131). DPP-4 exists as both a membrane bound
form and a soluble form in circulation due to cleavage of the
active site domain from the membrane. Activity of the membrane
bound form suppresses non-small cell lung carcinoma cells (Wesley,
et al., 2004, Int. J. Cancer 109:855-866). Given that there are
concerns about chronic DPP-4 inhibition and some effects are unique
to stabilized GLP-1 peptides, there is an interest in using
peptides instead of, or in addition to, approved DPP-4
inhibitors.
[0007] DPP-4 substrates include not only GLP-1, but also
glucose-dependent insulinotropic factor (GIP; SEQ ID NO:5),
oxyntomodulin (OXM; SEQ ID NO:6), and brain natriuretic peptide
(BNP; SEQ ID NO:7). All of these peptides have half-lives of less
than 15 minutes. Similar to GLP-1, the hormones GIP and OXM act as
glucose-lowering agents and have been studied extensively as
diabetes treatments (Meneilly, et al., 1993, Diabetes Care
16:110-114; Cohen, et al., 2003, J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab.
88:4696-4701). BNP plays an important role in the body's defense
against hypertension and is used as a treatment of congestive heart
failure (Del Ry, et al., 2013, Pharmacol. Res. 76:190-198;
Grantham, et al., 1997, Am. J. Physiol.--Reg. Int. Comp. Physiol.
272:R1077-R1083). DPP-4 inhibition affects the levels of all of
these peptides in circulation. On the other hand, stabilized
versions of GIP, OXM, or BNP should act more selectively than DPP-4
inhibition, by impacting only one signaling pathway.
[0008] A variety of peptidomimetic strategies have already been
applied to stabilizing peptide hormones, including GLP-1. Most of
the strategies involve restricting DPP-4 access to the cleavable
bond. Exenatide does this using replacement with other natural
amino acids. Liraglutide includes a fatty acid modified sidechain,
which wraps around the peptide and stabilizes a compact
conformation. In the known peptides M1 (SEQ ID NO:8; Deacon, et
al., 1998, Diabetologia 41:271-278); M2 (SEQ ID NO:9; Heard, et
al., 2013, J. Med. Chem. 56:8339-8351) and M3 (SEQ ID NO:10; Iltz,
et al., 2006, Clin. Ther. 28:652-665), access to cleavable bonds is
blocked and conformations are stabilized with methyl substitutions.
These modifications can extend the half-life for DPP-4 proteolysis,
but can compromise GLP-1R affinity (for example, the minimalist M3
has a 6-fold lower affinity; Iltz, et al., 2006, Clin. Ther.
28:652-665). Modifications that increase GLP-1 half-life while
sacrificing GLP-1R activation are less effective at achieving the
desired effects of regulating glucose and promoting weight
loss.
[0009] There is a need in the art for straightforward methods of
stabilizing peptides, such as peptide hormones or neuropeptides,
against proteolytic degradation in vivo. Such methods should allow
for the identification of a modified peptide with similar potency
to, but increased stability over, the naturally occurring peptide.
The present invention addresses this unmet need in the art.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The invention relates to unexpected discovery of
thioamide-modified peptides that have long half-lives and are
resistant to in vivo proteolytic degradation. In one aspect, the
invention includes a peptide, or a salt or solvate thereof,
comprising at least one selected from the group consisting of SEQ
ID NOs:2, 11-18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42,
44, 46, 48 and 50-51. In certain embodiments, the C-terminus of the
peptide is amide protected.
[0011] In yet another aspect, the invention includes a
pharmaceutical composition comprising at least one peptide of SEQ
ID NOs:2, 11-18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42,
44, 46, 48 and 50-51, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
The pharmaceutical composition may further comprise at least one
additional agent useful for treating or preventing a disease or
disorder in a subject, which in certain embodiments is a human. The
additional agent may be co-formulated with the thioamide-modified
peptides. The disease or disorder includes, but is not limited to,
diabetes, obesity, hypertension or congestive heart failure. The
composition is administered to the subject by at least one route
selected from the group consisting of nasal, inhalational, topical,
oral, buccal, rectal, pleural, peritoneal, vaginal, intramuscular,
subcutaneous, transdermal, epidural, intratracheal, otic,
intraocular, intrathecal, and intravenous routes.
[0012] In yet another aspect, the invention includes a method of
stabilizing a peptide against protease hydrolysis. The method
comprises modifying with a thioamide the peptide bond that a
protease hydrolyzes. In certain embodiments, the protease comprises
DPP-4. In other embodiments, the protease comprises
carboxypeptidase. The peptides that can be modified by the method
stated herein include, but are not limited to, glucagon-like
peptide 1 (GLP-1), glucose-dependent insulinotropic factor (GIP),
oxyntomodulin (OXM), glucagon, pituitary adenylate
cyclase-activating peptide (PACAP), vasoactive intestinal peptide
(VIP), growth-hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH), sermorelin (GRF),
peptide YY (PYY), pancreatic polypeptide (PP), B-type natriuretic
peptide (BNP), neuropeptide Y (NPY), enterostatin (ENT), RANTES
(CCL5), CCL2, CCL8, CCL7, and CCL13. In certain embodiments, the
thioamide modification is between the second and third amino acid
residues from the N-terminus of the peptide.
[0013] In certain embodiments, the thioamide modification of the
peptides of the invention retains substantially the same biological
activities and structures of corresponding unmodified peptides, but
extends the in vivo half-lives of unmodified peptides.
[0014] In yet another aspect, the invention includes a method of
treating or preventing diabetes or obesity in a subject in need
thereof. The method comprises administering to the subject a
therapeutically effective amount of a thioamide-modified peptide.
The thioamide-modified peptide comprises at least one selected from
the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:2, 11-14, 16-18, 20, 22, 48 and
51, or a salt or solvate thereof. The thioamide-modified peptide
has at least one effect selected from the group consisting of
stimulating insulin production in the subject, suppressing glucagon
secretion in the subject, inhibiting gastric emptying in the
subject, reducing appetite in the subject, and reducing food intake
in a subject.
[0015] In yet another aspect, the invention includes a method of
treating or preventing a cardiac disease or disorder in a subject
in need thereof. In certain embodiments, the cardiac disease or
disorder comprises hypertension or congestive heart failure. The
method comprises administering to the subject a therapeutically
effective amount of a thioamide-modified peptide of SEQ ID NO:15,
or a salt or solvate thereof.
[0016] In yet another aspect, the invention includes a kit
comprising a thioamide-modified peptide, and an instructional
material for use thereof, wherein the instructional material
comprises instructions for treating or preventing a disease or
disorder in a subject using the thioamide-modified peptide.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] The following detailed description of specific embodiments
of the invention will be better understood when read in conjunction
with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the
invention, there are shown in the drawings specific embodiments. It
should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to
the precise arrangements and instrumentalities of the embodiments
shown in the drawings.
[0018] FIG. 1 illustrates peptide inactivation by DPP-4. Peptides
are inactivated by DPP-4-catalyzed cleavage at the bond indicated
with a slash. GLP-1 analogs such as exenatide, liraglutide, M1
(taspoglutide), M2, and M3 exhibit increased stability towards
DPP-4 degradation. Modified residues relative to GLP-1 are shown in
green.
[0019] FIG. 2 illustrates thioamide fluorescence quenching applied
to proteolysis. Top: Thioamide-containing peptides can be
synthesized from benzotriazole precursors. The thioamide bond is
denoted with a prime symbol. Bottom left: Cleavage of the substrate
L'LKAA.mu. by papain led to an increase in fluorescence. No change
in fluorescence was observed for the oxoamide control peptide
(LLKA4).
[0020] FIG. 3 comprises a set of graphs illustrating glucose
tolerance tests (GTTs). Left: Short timecourse GTT to measure the
activity of GLP-1 (1 mg/kg) and exendin-4 (1 mg/kg) in vivo. Right:
Comparison of the activities of GLP-1 (1 mg/kg) and exendin-4 (1
mg/kg) 5.5 hours after they were injected showed that the more
stable exenatide retained activity while GLP-1 did not, due to
proteolytic inactivation. Student's t-tests used to determine
statistical significance, p-value <0.01, *; p-value <0.0001,
***).
[0021] FIG. 4 illustrates thioamide stability assays.
Alkyne-modified thiopeptides are incubated with cells or lysates
and reacted with a "clickable" azido-diazo-biotin (ADB) pulldown
reagent to isolate the products for HPLC MS analysis.
[0022] FIG. 5 comprises a set of graphs illustrating the kinetics
of hydrolysis of a thioamide-incorporating peptide using trypsin or
chymotrypsin (top panel) and HPLC analysis of hydrolysis of
peptides and corresponding thioamide-incorporating peptides using
trypsin (left) or chymotrypsin (right) (bottom panel).
[0023] FIG. 6 comprises a set of graphs illustrating thio GLP-1
data. Left graph: Comparison of thio GLP-1 and GLP-1 cleavage by
DPP-4. Right: Circular dichroism (CD) spectra of 40 .mu.M GLP-1 and
thio GLP-1 in buffer with 30% trifluoroethanol. Thioamide
substitution at the GLP-1 scissile bond suppressed proteolysis
without disrupting structure (CD) or activity (in vivo).
[0024] FIG. 7 comprises a set of graphs illustrating experimental
results obtained with thioamide-modified GLP-1 ("thio GLP-1") as
compared with non-modified GLP-1 ("GLP-1"). The experimental
results indicate that thioamide substituted GLP-1 is active in
mice. Intra-peritoneal Glucose Tolerance Test (IPGTT) was used to
measure activity of GLP-1 (1 mg/kg) and thio GLP-1 (1 mg/kg) in
vivo (Student's t-tests used to determine statistical
significance).
[0025] FIG. 8 comprises a set of graphs illustrating the finding
that degradation of GLP-1-A.sup.s.sub.8 is mitigated compared to
that of GLP-1 in presence of DPP-4. GLP-1-A.sup.s.sub.8 appeared
not to bind to DPP-4, and did not inhibit cleavage of Gly-Pro-pNA
substrate at 100 .mu.M;
##STR00001##
[0026] FIG. 9 illustrates a non-limiting mechanistic pathway of
GLP-1-A.sup.s.sub.8 auto-degradation. Copper appeared to block
auto-degradation.
[0027] FIG. 10 comprises a set of graphs illustrating the
time-dependent detection of GLP-1-A.sup.s.sub.8
auto-degradation.
[0028] FIG. 11 is a graph illustrating the finding that the
thioamide modification of a peptide (GLP-1-A.sup.s.sub.8) does not
significantly alter the structure of the original peptide
(GLP-1).
[0029] FIG. 12 is a graph illustrating the finding that
GLP-1-A.sup.s.sub.8 activates cAMP production in GT1-7 neurons.
[0030] FIG. 13 is a graph illustrating that GLP-1-A.sup.s.sub.8
reduces body mass increase in rats. The rats experienced 15%
reduction in food intake over 4 hours after i.p. injection. This
effect was mitigated by co-injection of GLP-1-A.sup.s.sub.8 and
Exendin-9.
[0031] FIG. 14 comprises a set of graphs illustrating that
GLP-1-F7A.sup.s.sub.8 is stable in buffer with or without DPP-4.
The half-life of GLP-1-F7A.sup.s.sub.8 in buffer with or without
DPP-4 is about 24 hours. GLP-1-F.sub.7A.sup.s.sub.8 was not
degraded by DPP-4. EC.sub.50s: GLP-1-F7=0.9 nM, GLP-1=0.8 nM.
[0032] FIG. 15 illustrates the method of screening thioamide
effects in presence of DPP-4. Short reporter peptides (containing
Mcm, .mu.) allows for rapid screening at P1, P2 and P1'
positions.
[0033] FIG. 16 illustrates the finding that GLP-1 is degraded by
DPP-4, having a half-life less than 10 minutes.
[0034] FIG. 17 illustrates systematic scanning of the effects of
thioamide modification position in a peptide. The thioamide
modifications were conducted at different positions of the peptide
chain. The resulting peptides were mixed with either papain or
trypsin enzymes to measure the changes of fluorescence intensity.
The "+" sign after the peptide sequence means the presence of the
corresponding enzyme. The "-" sign after the peptide sequence means
the lack of the corresponding enzyme.
[0035] FIG. 18 comprises a non-limiting scheme to synthesize a
thioamide peptide. GLP-1-A.sup.s.sub.8 is exemplified in the
reaction scheme.
[0036] FIG. 19 illustrates the effects of thioamide modification at
scissile bond position in glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide
(GIP) (GIP-A.sup.s.sub.4). Glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide
(GIP) stimulates pancreatic insulin secretion and fatty acid
metabolism. GIP secretion is reduced in in type 2 diabetes
patients. Thioamide modification in GIP dramatically increase its
proteolytic half-life to about 24 hours.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0037] In one aspect, the present invention relates to the use of
thioamide modifications (O-to-S substitutions of the peptide bond)
in biologically active peptides as a way to generate modified
peptides that are stabilized against proteolytic degradation, and
have approximately the same biological activity as the parent
peptide. In certain embodiments, thioamide modification at the
cleavage site of a peptide decreases proteolysis rates, in certain
instances by as much as 1,000-fold, thus greatly improving the
pharmacokinetics of the peptide. In other embodiments, thioamide
modification of a peptide does not significantly alter the
structure of the peptide and does not disrupt receptor binding or
biological activity of the peptide. In yet other embodiments,
thioamide modification of a peptide does not increase immune system
recognition of the peptide as compared to the unmodified
peptide.
[0038] As demonstrated herein, thioamide modification of
biologically active peptides (such as GLP-1) stabilizes the peptide
towards protease-mediated degradation without substantially
altering their biological activities. In certain embodiments, the
thioamide modified GLP-1 peptides of the invention stabilize the
GLP-1 peptide towards proteolysis by proteases.
[0039] In certain embodiments, the thioamide-modified peptides of
the invention have longer half-lives in vivo than the corresponding
unmodified peptides. In other embodiments, the thioamide-modified
peptides of the invention act as inhibitors of the proteases that
cause proteolytic degradation of the corresponding unmodified
peptides, in the case where the protease hydrolyzes the peptide
bond that is replaced with the thioamide in the modified
peptides.
[0040] In certain embodiments, in those cases wherein the thioamide
modification is between the second and third amino acid residues
from the N-terminus of the peptide and wherein the N-terminus
residue of the peptide is histidine, the stability of
thioamide-modified peptides is further increased by replacing the
N-terminus residue with another amino acid, such as but not limited
to, phenylalanine. In certain embodiments, the amino acid replacing
the histidine does not comprises an imidazole side chain.
[0041] In certain embodiments, the thioamide-modified peptides of
the invention are further modified, by using methods such as but
not limited to: methylation of one or more NH groups in the peptide
backbone; amidation and/or esterification of the C-terminus
carboxyl group and/or any side chain carboxyl group; alkylation,
acylation, carbamoylation and/or sulfonylation of the N-terminus
amino group and/or any side chain amino group; and any other
peptide modification known in the art.
Definitions
[0042] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms
used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of
ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although
any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described
herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present
invention, specific methods and materials are described.
[0043] As used herein, each of the following terms has the meaning
associated with it in this section.
[0044] The articles "a" and "an" are used herein to refer to one or
to more than one (i.e., to at least one) of the grammatical object
of the article. By way of example, "an element" means one element
or more than one element.
[0045] The term "abnormal" when used in the context of organisms,
tissues, cells or components thereof refers to those organisms,
tissues, cells or components thereof that differ in at least one
observable or detectable characteristic (e.g., age, treatment, time
of day, and so forth) from those organisms, tissues, cells or
components thereof that display the "normal" (expected) respective
characteristic. Characteristics that are normal or expected for one
cell or tissue type, might be abnormal for a different cell or
tissue type.
[0046] "About" as used herein when referring to a measurable value
such as an amount, a temporal duration, and the like, is meant to
encompass variations of .+-.20% or .+-.10%, more preferably .+-.5%,
even more preferably .+-.1%, and still more preferably .+-.0.1%
from the specified value, as such variations are appropriate to
perform the disclosed methods.
[0047] As used herein, the term "amino acid" refers to any natural
or non-natural compound having a carboxyl group and an amino group
in a molecule. An "amino acid" as used herein is meant to include
both natural and synthetic amino acids, and both D- and L-amino
acids. "Natural amino acid" means any of the twenty L-amino acids
commonly found in naturally occurring peptides. "Non-natural amino
acid residues" means any amino acid, other than the standard amino
acids, regardless of whether it is prepared synthetically or
derived from a natural source. As used herein, "synthetic amino
acid" encompasses chemically modified amino acids, including but
not limited to salts, amino acid derivatives (such as amides), and
substitutions Amino acids contained within the peptides, and
particularly at the carboxy- or amino-terminus, can be modified by
methylation, amidation, acetylation or substitution with other
chemical groups which can change a peptide's circulating half-life
without adversely affecting activity of the peptide. Additionally,
a disulfide linkage may be present or absent in the peptides.
[0048] As used herein, natural amino acids are represented by the
full name thereof, by the three letter code corresponding thereto,
or by the one-letter code corresponding thereto, as indicated
below:
TABLE-US-00001 Full Name Three-Letter Code One-Letter Code Aspartic
Acid Asp D Glutamic Acid Glu E Lysine Lys K Arginine Arg R
Histidine His H Tyrosine Tyr Y Cysteine Cys C Asparagine Asn N
Glutamine Gln Q Serine Ser S Threonine Thr T Glycine Gly G Alanine
Ala A Valine Val V Leucine Leu L Isoleucine Ile I Methionine Met M
Proline Pro P Phenylalanine Phe F Tryptophan Trp W
[0049] As used herein, the term "BNP" refers to brain natriuretic
peptide, and corresponds to the peptide of SEQ ID NO:7 or a salt or
solvate thereof.
[0050] As used herein, the term "CD" refers to circular
dichroism.
[0051] As used herein, the term "DPP-4" refers to dipeptidyl
peptidase-4, adenosine deaminase complexing protein 2 or CD26
(cluster of differentiation 26). In certain embodiments, DPP-4 is
mammalian, such as human.
[0052] As used herein, the term "exenatide" refers to the peptide
of SEQ ID NO:3 or a salt or solvate thereof.
[0053] As used herein, the term "GIP" refers to glucose-dependent
insulinotropic factor. In certain embodiments, the GIP is
mammalian, such as human. In other embodiments, GIP comprises the
peptide of SEQ ID NO:5 or a salt or solvate thereof.
[0054] As used herein, the term "GLP-1" refers to glucagon-like
peptide-1 fragment 7-36. In certain embodiments, GLP-1 is human. In
other embodiments, GLP-1 comprises the peptide of SEQ ID NO:1 or a
salt or solvate thereof.
[0055] As used herein, the term "thio GLP-1" refers to GLP-1
wherein at least one peptidic bond is replaced with a thioamide. In
certain embodiments, thio GLP-1 comprises the peptide of SEQ ID
NO:2 or a salt or solvate thereof.
[0056] As used herein, an "instructional material" includes a
publication, a recording, a diagram, or any other medium of
expression that can be used to communicate the usefulness of a
compound, composition, or method of the invention in the kit for
effecting prevention or treatment of the various diseases or
disorders recited herein. Optionally, or alternately, the
instructional material can describe one or more methods of
preventing or treating the diseases or disorders in a cell or a
tissue of a mammal. The instructional material of the kit of the
invention can, for example, be affixed to a container that contains
the identified compound or composition of the invention or be
shipped together with a container which contains the identified
compound or composition. Alternatively, the instructional material
can be shipped separately from the container with the intention
that the instructional material and the compound or composition be
used cooperatively by the recipient.
[0057] A "label" or "detectable label" or "tag" is a composition
detectable by mass spectrometric, spectroscopic, photochemical,
biochemical, immunochemical, or chemical means. For example, useful
labels include radioactive isotopes (e.g., .sup.3H, .sup.35S,
.sup.32P, .sup.51Cr or .sup.125I), stable isotopes
(e.g.,.sup.13C,.sup.15N or .sup.18O), fluorescent dyes,
electron-dense reagents, enzymes (e.g., alkaline phosphatase,
horseradish peroxidase, or others commonly used in an ELISA),
biotin, digoxigenin, or haptens or epitopes and proteins for which
antisera or monoclonal antibodies are available. In general, a
label as used in the context of the present invention is any entity
that may be used to detect or isolate the product of interest.
Thus, any entity that is capable of binding to another entity may
be used in the practice of this invention, including without
limitation, epitopes for antibodies, ligands for receptors, and
nucleic acids, which may interact with a second entity through
means such as complementary base pair hybridization.
[0058] As used herein, the term "ligation" as applied to two or
more molecules refers to the process to creating covalent chemical
bonds among the two or more molecules, as to form at least one
molecule that incorporates at least a portion of each of the two or
more molecules.
[0059] As used herein, the term "liraglutide" refers to the peptide
of SEQ ID NO:4
(H-His-Ala-Glu-Gly-Thr-Phe-Thr-Ser-Asp-Val-Ser-Ser-Tyr-Leu-Glu-Gl-
y-Gln-Ala-Ala-Lysey-Glu-palmitoyl)-Glu-Phe-Ile-Ala-Trp-Leu-Val-Arg-Gly-Arg-
-Gly-OH) or a salt or solvate thereof.
[0060] As used herein, the term "MALDI MS" refers to
matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry.
[0061] As used herein, the term "OXM" refers to oxyntomodulin,
corresponding to the peptide of SEQ ID NO:6 or a salt or solvate
thereof.
[0062] The terms "patient," "subject," "individual," and the like
are used interchangeably herein, and refer to any animal, or cells
thereof whether in vitro or in situ, amenable to the methods
described herein. In a non-limiting embodiment, the patient,
subject or individual is a human.
[0063] The terms "peptide," "polypeptide" and "protein," as used
herein, are interchangebly used to define as a chain of amino acid
residues, usually having a defined sequence. As used herein, the
term polypeptide is mutually inclusive of the terms "peptide" and
"protein." "Polypeptide" also refers to a polymer composed of amino
acid residues, related naturally occurring structural variants, and
synthetic non-naturally occurring analogs thereof linked via
peptide bonds, related naturally occurring structural variants, and
synthetic non-naturally occurring analogs thereof. Synthetic
polypeptides can be synthesized, for example, using an automated
polypeptide synthesizer.
[0064] Conventional notation is used herein to portray polypeptide
sequences: the left-hand end of a polypeptide sequence is the
amino-terminus; the right-hand end of a polypeptide sequence is the
carboxyl-terminus. Peptidic bonds are formed by amides (also known
as oxiamides).
[0065] "Proteases" (or "proteinases", "peptidases", or
"proteolytic" enzymes) generally refer to a class of enzymes that
cleave peptide bonds between amino acids of proteins. Because
proteases use a molecule of water to effect hydrolysis of peptide
bonds, these enzymes can also be classified as hydrolases. Six
classes of proteases are presently known: serine proteases,
threonine proteases, cysteine proteases, aspartic acid proteases,
metalloproteases, and glutamic acid proteases (see, e.g., Barrett
A. J. et al., The Handbook of Proteolytic Enzymes, 2.sup.nd ed.
Academic Press, 2003). Proteases are involved in a multitude of
physiological reactions from simple digestion of food proteins to
highly regulated cascades (e.g., the cell cycle, the blood clotting
cascade, the complement system, and apoptosis pathways). It is well
known to the skilled artisan that proteases can break either
specific peptide bonds, depending on the amino acid sequence of a
protein, or break down a polypeptide to the constituent amino
acids.
[0066] As used herein, the term "salt" embraces addition salts of
free acids or free bases that are compounds useful within the
invention. Suitable acid addition salts may be prepared from an
inorganic acid or from an organic acid. Examples of inorganic acids
include hydrochloric, hydrobromic, hydriodic, nitric, carbonic,
sulfuric, phosphoric acids, perchloric and tetrafluoroboronic
acids. Appropriate organic acids may be selected from aliphatic,
cycloaliphatic, aromatic, araliphatic, heterocyclic, carboxylic and
sulfonic classes of organic acids, examples of which include
formic, acetic, propionic, succinic, glycolic, gluconic, lactic,
malic, tartaric, citric, ascorbic, glucuronic, maleic, fumaric,
pyruvic, aspartic, glutamic, benzoic, anthranilic,
4-hydroxybenzoic, phenylacetic, mandelic, embonic (pamoic),
methanesulfonic, ethanesulfonic, benzenesulfonic, pantothenic,
trifluoromethanesulfonic, 2-hydroxyethanesulfonic,
p-toluenesulfonic, sulfanilic, cyclohexylaminosulfonic, stearic,
alginic, .beta.-hydroxybutyric, salicylic, galactaric and
galacturonic acid. Suitable base addition salts of compounds useful
within the invention include, for example, metallic salts including
alkali metal, alkaline earth metal and transition metal salts such
as, for example, lithium, calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium and
zinc salts. Acceptable base addition salts also include organic
salts made from basic amines such as, for example,
N,N'-dibenzylethylenediamine, chloroprocaine, choline,
diethanolamine, ethylenediamine, meglumine (N-methyl-glucamine) and
procaine. All of these salts may be prepared by conventional means
from the corresponding free base compound by reacting, for example,
the appropriate acid or base with the corresponding free base.
[0067] A "therapeutic" treatment is a treatment administered to a
subject who exhibits signs of pathology, for the purpose of
diminishing or eliminating those signs.
[0068] A "therapeutically effective amount" or "effective amount"
of a compound is that amount of compound that is sufficient to
provide a beneficial effect to the subject to which the compound is
administered. In certain embodiments, administration of a
therapeutically effective amount of the compound prevents or treats
(delays or prevents the onset of, prevents the progression of,
inhibits, decreases or reverses) a disease or condition described
herein, including alleviating symptoms of such diseases. An
"effective amount" of a delivery vehicle is that amount sufficient
to effectively bind or deliver a compound.
[0069] As used herein, the term "thioamide" refers to the group
--C(.dbd.S)--NR--, wherein R is selected from the group consisting
of H, optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted alkenyl,
optionally substituted alkynyl, optionally substituted cycloalkyl,
optionally substituted cycloalkenyl, optionally substituted
cycloalkynyl, optionally substituted aryl, optionally substituted
heteroaryl, and optionally substituted heterocyclyl. In certain
embodiments, thioamides corresponds to amides (or oxiamides)
wherein the carbonyl group of the amide bond is replaced with a
thiocarbonyl group.
[0070] As used herein, the term "thioamide-modified" or
"thioamide-substituted" peptide, polypeptide or protein refers to a
peptide, polypeptide or protein wherein at least one peptide bond
is replaced with a thioamide bond. In certain embodiments, the
thioamide is located between the second and third amino acid
residues from the N-terminus of the peptide, polypeptide or
protein.
[0071] As used herein, an amino acid denoted as "AA*" comprises an
amino acid AA that is thioamide-modified, wherein the carbonyl
group of the amino acid is replaced with a thiocarbonyl. In certain
embodiments, a protease cleaves a peptide at the dipeptide site
AA1-AA2, wherein AA1 and AA2 are aminoacids. The protease cleaves
the peptidic bond between AA1 and AA2 to form a N-terminus peptide
fragment comprising AA1 as the C-terminus residue, and a C-terminus
peptide fragment comprising AA2 as the N-terminus fragment. In
other embodiments, the peptide comprising the dipeptide cleavage
site AA1*-AA2 is cleaved by the protease at a lower rate than the
peptide comprising the dipeptide cleavage site AA1-AA2.
[0072] For the purpose of notation used herein, the thioamide
linkage between amino acid AA1 and amino acid AA2, wherein the
thiocarbonyl group is derived from amino acid AA1 is denoted as
AA1*-AA2. In this notation, the AA1 residue constitutes the
N-terminus and the AA2 residue constitutes the C-terminus of the
thioamide-modified dipeptide AA1*-AA2.
[0073] As used herein, "treating a disease or disorder" means
reducing the frequency with which a symptom of the disease or
disorder is experienced by a patient. Disease and disorder are used
interchangeably herein.
[0074] Ranges: throughout this disclosure, various aspects of the
invention can be presented in a range format. It should be
understood that the description in range format is merely for
convenience and brevity and should not be construed as an
inflexible limitation on the scope of the invention. Accordingly,
the description of a range should be considered to have
specifically disclosed all the possible sub-ranges as well as
individual numerical values within that range. For example,
description of a range such as from 1 to 6 should be considered to
have specifically disclosed sub-ranges such as from 1 to 3, from 1
to 4, from 1 to 5, from 2 to 4, from 2 to 6, from 3 to 6 etc., as
well as individual numbers within that range, for example, 1, 2,
2.7, 3, 4, 5, 5.3, and 6. This applies regardless of the breadth of
the range.
Description
[0075] In one aspect, the present invention relates to the use of
thioamide modifications (O-to-S substitutions of the peptide bond)
in biologically active peptides as a way to generate
thioamide-modified peptides that are stabilized against proteolytic
degradation, and have approximately the same biological activity as
the parent peptide. In certain embodiments, thioamide modification
at the cleavage site of a peptide decreases proteolysis rates by as
much as 1,000-fold, thus greatly improving the pharmacokinetics of
the peptide. In other embodiments, thioamide modification of a
peptide does not significantly alter the structure of the peptide
and does not disrupt receptor binding or biological activity of the
peptide. In yet other embodiments, thioamide modification of a
peptide does not increase immune system recognition of the peptide
as compared to the unmodified peptide.
[0076] The peptide contemplated in the invention can be any peptide
that is capable of undergoing to proteolytic degradation. In
certain embodiments, the peptide is a dipeptidyl peptidase 4
(DPP-4) substrate or a carboxypeptidase substrate. The DPP-4
substrates include, but is not limited to, glucagon family
peptides, pancreatic polypeptide family peptides, and chemokine
family peptides.
[0077] Glucagon family peptides include, but are not limited to,
glucagon (SEQ ID NO:21), pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating
peptide (PACAP) (SEQ ID NO:39), vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP)
(SEQ ID NO:41), GLP-1 (SEQ ID NO:1), oxyntomodulin (OXM) (SEQ ID
NO:6), GIP (SEQ ID NO:5), growth-hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH)
(SEQ ID NO:43), sermorelin (GRF) (SEQ ID NO:45), and tesamorelin
(SEQ ID NO:49).
[0078] Pancreatic polypeptide family peptides include, but are not
limited to, peptide YY (PYY) (SEQ ID NO:25), pancreatic polypeptide
(PP) (SEQ ID NO:27), B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) (SEQ ID
NO:7), neuropeptide Y (NPY) (SEQ ID NO:23), and enterostatin (ENT)
(SEQ ID NO:47).
[0079] Chemokine family peptides include, but are not limited to,
RANTES (CCL5) (SEQ ID NO:29), CCL2 (SEQ ID NO:31), CCL8 (SEQ ID
NO:33), CCL7 (SEQ ID NO:35), and CCL13 (SEQ ID NO:37).
[0080] DPP-4 substrates play various important roles in regulating
physiological and behavior activities, for example, insulin
secretion (GLP-1, GIP), appetite (ENT), mood and stress (NPY),
immune cell function (RANTES), and growth and development (GHRH).
Several of these peptides are currently prescribed or under
clinical trials in unmodified forms. In certain embodiments,
modification with a thioamide residue at the indicated position
should slow or eliminate proteolytic degradation by DPP-4. In other
embodiments, degradation by other enzymes at other positions may
also be limiting for in vitro or in vivo stability, and thioamide
substitution at those position may further stabilize the
peptide.
[0081] The hormones GIP, GLP-1, and OXM act as glucose-lowering
agents and have been studied extensively as diabetes
treatments.
[0082] Brain or B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) is a 32-amino acid
peptide secreted by the ventricles of the heart, causing a decrease
in systemic vascular resistance and central venous pressure as well
as an increase in natriuresis (lowering of sodium in the blood).
BNP plays an important role in the body's defense against
hypertension and is used as a treatment of congestive heart
failure.
[0083] Growth-hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH), also known as
growth-hormone releasing factor (GRF, GHRF), somatoliberin or
somatocrinin, is produced in the arcuate nucleus of the
hypothalamus. Semorelin is the truncated form of GHRH and is
prescribed for growth hormone deficiency in children. Tesamorelin
has an N-terminal modification of GHRH and is prescribed for
lipodystrophy in HIV patients.
[0084] Neuropeptide Y (NPY) is a 36-amino acid peptide that acts as
a neurotransmitter in the brain and in the autonomic nervous
system. In the autonomic system it serves as a strong
vasoconstrictor and causes fat accumulation. In the brain, it
reduces anxiety and stress, as well as perception of pain.
[0085] Also, various DPP-4 substrates have short half-lives. For
example, GLP-1, GIP, BNP, and OXM have in vivo half-lives of less
than 15 minutes. NPY has a half-life of 15-20 minutes. ENT has a
half-life of 5 minutes. GHRH has a half-life of 19 minutes. DPP-4
inhibition affects the levels of these peptides in circulation as
well as GLP-1. On the other hand, stabilized versions of GIP, OXM,
GLP-1, NPY, GHRH, ENT, or BNP should act more selectively than
DPP-4 inhibition, by impacting only one signaling pathway. In
certain embodiments, the invention provides a thioamide-modified
analog of a peptide, wherein the thioamide modification occurs at
the peptidic bond that is cleaved by a protease. In other
embodiments, the protease comprises DPP-4. In yet other
embodiments, the protease comprises carboxypeptidase. In yet other
embodiments, the peptide comprises a DPP-4 substrate. In certain
instances, the peptide comprises GIP, OXM, GLP-1, NPY, GHRH, ENT,
or BNP. In yet other embodiments, the thioamide modification
reduces the rate at which the peptide is cleaved by the protease.
In yet other embodiments, the peptide bond that is cleaved by the
protease is subject to the thioamide modification. In yet other
embodiments, a peptide bond that is neighboring to the peptide bond
cleaved by the protease is subject to the thioamide
modification.
[0086] As demonstrated herein in a non-limiting manner, the
invention may be implemented using incretin hormone glucagon-like
peptide 1 (GLP-1), which stimulates insulin and suppresses glucagon
secretion, inhibits gastric emptying, and reduces appetite and food
intake. GLP-1 is inactivated through proteolytic cleavage by
dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP-4) with a half-life of less than 2
minutes. Stabilized GLP-1 analogs exenatide (BYETTA.RTM.) and
liraglutide (VICTOZA.RTM.) are currently prescribed as Type 2
diabetes drugs.
[0087] As demonstrated herein, thioamide modification at the
scissile bond of GLP-1 (thio GLP-1, X=S in FIG. 1, SEQ ID NO:2,
wherein Xaa (1) is histidine) increased the GLP-1 half-life to
ranges (>24 hours) comparable to exenatide and liraglutide. For
this study, purified peptides were incubated with DPP-4 in assay
buffer for various time periods. The reactions were quenched, and
the products analyzed by HPLC/MALDI MS to determine the amount of
intact peptide. The degradation data indicated that the half-life
of thio GLP-1 is greater than about 24 hours under conditions where
the half-life of GLP-1 is 21 minutes. Thus, an at least 100-fold
increase in stability was obtained by introducing a single atom
substitution in GLP-1.
[0088] To further investigate the interaction between DPP-4 and
thio GLP-1, kinetic assays showed that thio GLP-1 acts as a
competitive DPP-4 inhibitor. Thus, thio GLP-1 acts as both a
stabilized GLP-1R agonist and a DPP-4 inhibitor. In certain
embodiments, this unique attribute affects the in vivo pharmacology
of thio GLP-1.
[0089] The effects of thioamide modification on the structure of
GLP-1 were also studied. CD spectroscopy was used to examine the
secondary structure of GLP-1 and thio GLP-1 in the far UV region,
showing that the thioamide at Ala.sub.8 was not disruptive to GLP-1
folding, since the CD signatures of thio GLP-1 and GLP-1 were
identical.
[0090] Further, the activity of thio GLP-1 as compared to GLP-1 was
tested in vivo using intra-peritoneal glucose tolerance tests
(IPGTTs). In these experiments, mice were injected with the peptide
60 minutes prior to administration of a glucose challenge (time=0).
Blood glucose levels were measured at -90, 0, 30, 60, 90 and 120
minutes. Thio GLP-1 greatly improved glucose tolerance and led to
significantly lower blood glucose levels at every time point, to a
greater degree than GLP-1. These data demonstrate that thio GLP-1
is active in mice.
[0091] As demonstrated herein in a non-limiting manner, the
invention may also be implemented using glucose-dependent
insulinotropic peptide (GIP) (SEQ ID NO:5). GIP stimulates
pancreatic insulin secretion and fatty acid metabolism. GIP
secretion is reduced in type 2 diabetes patients. Thioamide
modification at the scissile position in GIP (GIP-A.sup.s.sub.4,
SEQ ID NO:13) increase its proteolytic half-life dramatically to
about 24 hours (FIG. 19).
[0092] Although the embodiments have demonstrated thioamide
modification at the scissile bond of a peptide (such as a DPP-4
substrate), one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate the
thioamide modification can be at any position of the peptide under
consideration. Thioamide modification at a different position from
the scissile position in the DPP-4 substrate (or any other position
thought to allow the peptide to be degraded by protease) may have
distinct therapeutic effects. As such, thioamide modification at
any possible position of the DPP-4 substrate is contemplated within
the present invention.
[0093] It is also contemplated within the invention to have two or
more thioamide modifications in a peptide. Such multiple thioamide
modification can help stabilize the peptide against proteolytic
degradation caused by DPP-4, as well as other proteases. One
non-limiting example is enterostatin (ENT), expressed as a
precursor protein in the pancreas, stomach, duodenal mucosa, and
specific brain regions. ENT is a peptide having the sequence of
AP.sub.2GP.sub.4R (the subscripts are used to differentiate the
positions of two Ps only), and selectively inhibits the intake of
dietary fat in rodent models given a choice of diets. ENT is
subject to DPP-4 proteolysis and carboxypeptidase at the P.sub.2
and P.sub.4 positions respectively. Accordingly, thioamide
modifications at P.sub.2 and P.sub.4 positions make ENT more stable
in the presence of DPP-4 and carboxypeptidase.
Compositions
[0094] The invention includes a thioamide-substituted peptide,
wherein the peptide is modified with a thioamide at the peptidic
bond that is cleaved by a protease.
[0095] In certain embodiments, the peptide comprises a peptide
selected from the group consisting of: [0096] SEQ ID NO:2, wherein
Xaa (1) is histidine(thio GLP-1):
TABLE-US-00002 [0096] HA*EGTFTSDVSSYLEGQAAKEFIAWLVKGR;
[0097] SEQ ID NO:2, wherein Xaa (1) is phenylalanine
(GLP-1-F.sup.7AS.sub.8):
TABLE-US-00003 [0097] FA*EGTFTSDVSSYLEGQAAKEFIAWLVKGR;
[0098] SEQ ID NO:11, wherein Xaa (1) is histidine (thio
exenatide):
TABLE-US-00004 [0098] HG*EGTFTSDLSKQMEEEAVRLFIEWLKNGGPSSGAPPS;
[0099] SEQ ID NO:11, wherein Xaa (1) is phenylalanine:
TABLE-US-00005 [0099] FG*EGTFTSDLSKQMEEEAVRLFIEWLKNGGPSSGAPPS;
[0100] SEQ ID NO:12, wherein Xaa (1) is histidine(thio
liraglutide):
TABLE-US-00006 [0100] HA*EGTFTSDVSSYLEGQAAXEFIAWLVRGRG, [X =
Lys(.gamma.-Glu-palmitoyl)];
[0101] SEQ ID NO:12, wherein Xaa (1) is phenylalanine:
TABLE-US-00007 [0101] FA*EGTFTSDVSSYLEGQAAXEFIAWLVRGRG, [X =
Lys(.gamma.-Glu-palmitoyl)];
[0102] SEQ ID NO:13 (thio GIP):
TABLE-US-00008 [0102]
YA*EGTFISDYSIAMDKIHQQDFVNWLLAQKGKKNDWKHNITQ;
[0103] SEQ ID NO:14, wherein Xaa (1) is histidine (thio OXM):
TABLE-US-00009 [0103] HS*QGTFTSDYSKYLDSRRAQDFVQWLMNTKRNRNNIA;
[0104] SEQ ID NO:14, wherein Xaa (1) is phenylalanine:
TABLE-US-00010 [0104] FS*QGTFTSDYSKYLDSRRAQDFVQWLMNTKRNRNNIA;
[0105] SEQ ID NO:15 (thio BNP):
TABLE-US-00011 [0105] SP*KMVQGSGCFGRKMDRISSSSGLGCKVLRRH;
[0106] SEQ ID NO:16, wherein Xaa (1) is histidine (thio M1):
TABLE-US-00012 [0106] H.alpha.*EGTFTSDVSSYLEGQAAKEFIAWLVKaR,
(.alpha. = dimethyl Gly);
[0107] SEQ ID NO:16, wherein Xaa (1) is phenylalanine:
TABLE-US-00013 [0107] F.alpha.*EGTFTSDVSSYLEGQAAKEFIAWLVKaR,
(.alpha. = dimethyl Gly);
[0108] SEQ ID NO:17, wherein Xaa (1) is histidine (thio M2):
TABLE-US-00014 [0108] H.alpha.*aGTFTSDVSSYLEGQAAKEFIAWLVKGR,
(.alpha. = t-butyl Gly);
[0109] SEQ ID NO:17, wherein Xaa (1) phenylalanine:
TABLE-US-00015 [0109] FA*.alpha.GTFTSDVSSYLEGQAAKEFIAWLVKGR,
(.alpha. = t-butyl Gly);
[0110] SEQ ID NO:18, wherein Xaa (1) is histidine (thio M3):
TABLE-US-00016 [0110] HA*.alpha.GTFTSDVSSYLEGQAAKEFIAWLVKGR,
(.alpha. = .beta.,.beta.-D)
[0111] SEQ ID NO:18, wherein Xaa (1) is phenylalanine:
TABLE-US-00017 [0111] FA*.alpha.GTFTSDVSSYLEGQAAKEFIAWLVKGR,
(.alpha. = .beta.,.beta.-D)
[0112] SEQ ID NO:22, wherein Xaa (1) is histidine (thio
Glucagon):
TABLE-US-00018 [0112] HS*QGTFTSDYSKYLDSRRAQDFVQWLMNT;
[0113] SEQ ID NO:22, wherein Xaa (1) is phenylalanine:
TABLE-US-00019 [0113] FS*QGTFTSDYSKYLDSRRAQDFVQWLMNT;
[0114] SEQ ID NO:24 (thio NPY):
TABLE-US-00020 [0114] YP*SKPDNPGEDAPAEDMARYYSALRHYINLITRQRY;
[0115] SEQ ID NO:26 (thio PYY):
TABLE-US-00021 [0115] YP*IKPEAPGEDASPEELNRYYASLRHYINLITRQRY;
[0116] SEQ ID NO:28 (thio pancreatic polypeptide (PP)):
TABLE-US-00022 [0116] AP*LEPVYPGDNATPEQMAQYAADLRRYINMLTRPRY;
[0117] SEQ ID NO:30 (thio RANTES (CCL5)):
TABLE-US-00023 [0117]
SP*YSSDTTPCCFAYIARPLPRAHIKEYFYTSGKCSNPAVVFVTRKN
RQVCANPEKKWVREYINSLEMS;
[0118] SEQ ID NO:32 (thio CCL2):
TABLE-US-00024 [0118]
QP*DAINAPVTCCYNFTNRKISVQRLASYRRITSSKCPKEAVIFKTI
VAKEICADPKQKWVQDSMDHLD;
[0119] SEQ ID NO:34 (thio CCL8):
TABLE-US-00025 [0119]
QP*DSVSIPITCCFNVINRKIPIQRLESYTRITNIQCPKEAVIFKTK
RGKEVCADPKERWVRDSMKHLDQIFQNLKP;
[0120] SEQ ID NO:36 (thio CCL7):
TABLE-US-00026 [0120]
QP*VGINTSTTCCYRFINRKIPKQRLESYRRTTSSHCPKEAVIFKTK
LDKEICADPTQKWVQDFMKHLDKKTQTPKL;
[0121] SEQ ID NO:38 (thio CCL13):
TABLE-US-00027 [0121]
QP*DALNAPVTCCFTFSSRKISLQRLKSYVITTSRCPQKAVIFRTKL
GKEICADPKEKWVQNYMKHLGRKAHTLKT;
[0122] SEQ ID NO:40, wherein Xaa (1) is histidine(thio PACAP):
TABLE-US-00028 [0122] HS*DGIFTDSYSRYRKQMAVKKYLAAVLGKRYKQRVKNK;
[0123] SEQ ID NO:40, Xaa (1) is phenylalanine:
TABLE-US-00029 [0123] FS*DGIFTDSYSRYRKQMAVKKYLAAVLGKRYKQRVKNK;
[0124] SEQ ID NO:42, wherein Xaa (1) is histidine (thio vasoactive
intestinal peptide (VIP)):
TABLE-US-00030 [0124] HS*DAVFTDNYTRLRKQMAVKKYLNSILN;
[0125] SEQ ID NO:42, wherein Xaa (1) is phenylalanine:
TABLE-US-00031 [0125] FS*DAVFTDNYTRLRKQMAVKKYLNSILN;
[0126] SEQ ID NO:44 (thio GHRH):
TABLE-US-00032 [0126]
YA*DAIFTNSYRKVLGQLSARKLLQDIMSRQQGESNQERGARARL;
[0127] SEQ ID NO:46 (thio GRF):
TABLE-US-00033 [0127] YA*DAIFTNSYRKVLGQLSARKLLQDIMSR;
[0128] SEQ ID NO:48 (thio ENT):
[0129] AP*GPR; [0130] SEQ ID NO:50 (thio Tesamorelin):
TABLE-US-00034 [0130]
Y.sup.#A*DAIFTNSYRKVLGQLSARKLLQDIMSRQQGESNQERGARARL;
[0131] SEQ ID NO:51 (bithio ENT)
[0132] AP*GP*R;
wherein the C-terminus is optionally amide protected, and the amino
acid marked as * is thioamide-modified; a salt or solvate thereof,
and any combinations thereof.
[0133] The invention further comprises a pharmaceutical composition
comprising at least one peptide of the invention and a
pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
Methods
[0134] The invention includes a method of stabilizing a peptide
against protease hydrolysis, the method comprising modifying with a
thioamide the peptidic bond that the protease hydrolyzes. In
certain embodiments, the protease comprises DPP-4. In other
embodiments, the thioamide is formed between the second and third
amino acid residues from the N-terminus of the peptide. In yet
other embodiments, the peptide comprises a DPP-4 substrate. In
certain instances, the peptide comprises GLP-1, GIP, OXM, BNP, ENT,
GHRH, NPY or any combinations thereof. In yet other embodiments,
the thioamide-modified peptide has equivalent biological activity
to the peptide. In yet other embodiments, the thioamide-modified
peptide has longer in vivo half-life than the peptide.
[0135] The invention further includes a method of treating or
preventing diabetes or obesity in a subject in need thereof,
wherein the method comprises administering to the subject a
therapeutically effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition
comprising a thioamide-modified peptide. In certain embodiments,
the thioamide-modified peptide comprises at least one selected from
the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:2, 11-14, 16-18, 20, 22, 48 51
or a salt or solvate thereof. In other embodiments, the
thioamide-modified peptide has at least one effect selected from
the group consisting of stimulate insulin production in the
subject, suppress glucagon secretion in the subject, inhibit
gastric emptying in the subject, reduce appetite in the subject,
and reduce food intake in the subject.
[0136] The invention further includes a method of treating or
preventing a cardiac disease or disorder in a subject in need
thereof, wherein the method comprises administering to the subject
a therapeutically effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition
comprising a thioamide-modified peptide. In certain embodiments,
the thioamide-modified peptide comprises SEQ ID NO:15, or a salt or
solvate thereof. In other embodiments, the cardiac disease or
disorder comprises hypertension or congestive heart failure.
Kits
[0137] The invention includes a kit comprising a thioamide-modified
peptide of the invention, and an instructional material for use
thereof. The instructional material comprises instructions for
treating or preventing a disease or disorder in a subject using the
thioamide-modified peptide of the invention. In certain
embodiments, the kit further comprises at least one additional
agent that treats or prevents the disease or disorder in the
subject.
Combination Therapies
[0138] In certain embodiments, the compounds of the invention are
useful in the methods of the invention in combination with at least
one additional compound useful for treating or preventing a disease
or disorder contemplated within the invention. This additional
compound may comprise compounds identified herein or compounds,
e.g., commercially available compounds, known to treat, prevent or
reduce the symptoms of a disease or disorder contemplated within
the invention.
[0139] For treatment or prevention of diabetes or obesity, the
additional compound may be selected from the group consisting of
GLP-1; GIP; OXM; meglitinides, such as repaglinide (PRANDIN.RTM.),
and nateglinide (STARLIX.RTM.); sulfonylureas, such as glipizide
(GLUCOTROL.RTM.), glimepiride (AMARYL.RTM.), and glyburide
(DIABETA.RTM., GLYNASE.RTM.); DPP-4 inhibitors, such as saxagliptin
(ONGLYZA.RTM.), sitagliptin (JANUVIA.RTM.), and linagliptin
(TRADJENTA.RTM.); biguanides, such as metformin (FORTAMET.RTM.,
GLUCOPHAGE.RTM., and others); thiazolidinediones, such as
rosiglitazone (AVANDIA.RTM.) and pioglitazone (ACTOS.RTM.);
alpha-glucosidase inhibitors, such as acarbose (PRECOSE.RTM.) and
miglitol (GLYSET.RTM.); amylin mimetics, such as pramlintide
(SYMLIN.RTM.); incretin mimetics, such as exenatide (BYETTA.RTM.)
and liraglutide (VICTOZA.RTM.); insulin and insulin analogs and
derivatives.
[0140] For treatment or prevention of a cardiac disorder or
disease, the additional compound may be selected from the group
consisting of aspirin, statins, thiazide-based diuretics,
angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor
blockers, calcium channel blockers, vasodilators, aldosterone
receptor antagonists, beta-blockers, and alpha-blockers.
[0141] A synergistic effect may be calculated, for example, using
suitable methods such as, for example, the Sigmoid-E.sub.max
equation (Holford & Scheiner, 19981, Clin. Pharmacokinet. 6:
429-453), the equation of Loewe additivity (Loewe & Muischnek,
1926, Arch. Exp. Pathol Pharmacol. 114: 313-326) and the
median-effect equation (Chou & Talalay, 1984, Adv. Enzyme
Regul. 22:27-55). Each equation referred to above may be applied to
experimental data to generate a corresponding graph to aid in
assessing the effects of the drug combination. The corresponding
graphs associated with the equations referred to above are the
concentration-effect curve, isobologram curve and combination index
curve, respectively.
Administration/Dosage/Formulations
[0142] The regimen of administration may affect what constitutes an
effective amount. The therapeutic formulations may be administered
to the subject either prior to or after the onset of a disease or
disorder contemplated in the invention. Further, several divided
dosages, as well as staggered dosages may be administered daily or
sequentially, or the dose may be continuously infused, or may be a
bolus injection. Further, the dosages of the therapeutic
formulations may be proportionally increased or decreased as
indicated by the exigencies of the therapeutic or prophylactic
situation.
[0143] Administration of the compositions of the present invention
to a patient or subject, preferably a mammal, more preferably a
human, may be carried out using known procedures, at dosages and
for periods of time effective to treat a disease or disorder
contemplated in the invention. An effective amount of the
therapeutic compound necessary to achieve a therapeutic effect may
vary according to factors such as the state of the disease or
disorder in the patient; the age, sex, and weight of the patient;
and the ability of the therapeutic compound to treat a disease or
disorder contemplated in the invention. Dosage regimens may be
adjusted to provide the optimum therapeutic response. For example,
several divided doses may be administered daily or the dose may be
proportionally reduced as indicated by the exigencies of the
therapeutic situation. A non-limiting example of an effective dose
range for a therapeutic compound of the invention is from about 1
and 5,000 mg/kg of body weight/per day. One of ordinary skill in
the art would be able to study the relevant factors and make the
determination regarding the effective amount of the therapeutic
compound without undue experimentation.
[0144] Actual dosage levels of the active ingredients in the
pharmaceutical compositions of this invention may be varied so as
to obtain an amount of the active ingredient that is effective to
achieve the desired therapeutic response for a particular patient,
composition, and mode of administration, without being toxic to the
patient.
[0145] In particular, the selected dosage level depends upon a
variety of factors including the activity of the particular
compound employed, the time of administration, the rate of
excretion of the compound, the duration of the treatment, other
drugs, compounds or materials used in combination with the
compound, the age, sex, weight, condition, general health and prior
medical history of the patient being treated, and like factors
well, known in the medical arts.
[0146] A medical doctor, e.g., physician or veterinarian, having
ordinary skill in the art may readily determine and prescribe the
effective amount of the pharmaceutical composition required. For
example, the physician or veterinarian could start doses of the
compounds of the invention employed in the pharmaceutical
composition at levels lower than that required in order to achieve
the desired therapeutic effect and gradually increase the dosage
until the desired effect is achieved.
[0147] In particular embodiments, it is especially advantageous to
formulate the compound in dosage unit form for ease of
administration and uniformity of dosage. Dosage unit form as used
herein refers to physically discrete units suited as unitary
dosages for the patients to be treated; each unit containing a
predetermined quantity of therapeutic compound calculated to
produce the desired therapeutic effect in association with the
required pharmaceutical vehicle. The dosage unit forms of the
invention are dictated by and directly dependent on (a) the unique
characteristics of the therapeutic compound and the particular
therapeutic effect to be achieved, and (b) the limitations inherent
in the art of compounding/formulating such a therapeutic compound
for the treatment of a disease or disorder contemplated in the
invention.
[0148] In certain embodiments, the compositions of the invention
are formulated using one or more pharmaceutically acceptable
excipients or carriers. In certain embodiments, the pharmaceutical
compositions of the invention comprise a therapeutically effective
amount of a compound of the invention and a pharmaceutically
acceptable carrier.
[0149] The carrier may be a solvent or dispersion medium
containing, for example, water, ethanol, polyol (for example,
glycerol, propylene glycol, and liquid polyethylene glycol, and the
like), suitable mixtures thereof, and vegetable oils. The proper
fluidity may be maintained, for example, by the use of a coating
such as lecithin, by the maintenance of the required particle size
in the case of dispersion and by the use of surfactants. Prevention
of the action of microorganisms may be achieved by various
antibacterial and antifungal agents, for example, parabens,
chlorobutanol, phenol, ascorbic acid, thimerosal and the like. In
many cases, it is preferable to include isotonic agents, for
example, sugars, sodium chloride, or polyalcohols such as mannitol
and sorbitol, in the composition. Prolonged absorption of the
injectable compositions may be brought about by including in the
composition an agent which delays absorption, for example, aluminum
monostearate or gelatin.
[0150] In certain embodiments, the compositions of the invention
are administered to the patient in dosages that range from one to
five times per day or more. In other embodiments, the compositions
of the invention are administered to the patient in range of
dosages that include, but are not limited to, once every day, every
two, days, every three days to once a week, and once every two
weeks. It is readily apparent to one skilled in the art that the
frequency of administration of the various combination compositions
of the invention varies from individual to individual depending on
many factors including, but not limited to, age, disease or
disorder to be treated, gender, overall health, and other factors.
Thus, the invention should not be construed to be limited to any
particular dosage regime and the precise dosage and composition to
be administered to any patient is determined by the attending
physical taking all other factors about the patient into
account.
[0151] Compounds of the invention for administration may be in the
range of from about 1 .mu.g to about 10,000 mg, about 20 .mu.g to
about 9,500 mg, about 40 .mu.g to about 9,000 mg, about 75 .mu.g to
about 8,500 mg, about 150 .mu.g to about 7,500 mg, about 200 .mu.g
to about 7,000 mg, about 3050 .mu.g to about 6,000 mg, about 500
.mu.g to about 5,000 mg, about 750 .mu.g to about 4,000 mg, about 1
mg to about 3,000 mg, about 10 mg to about 2,500 mg, about 20 mg to
about 2,000 mg, about 25 mg to about 1,500 mg, about 30 mg to about
1,000 mg, about 40 mg to about 900 mg, about 50 mg to about 800 mg,
about 60 mg to about 750 mg, about 70 mg to about 600 mg, about 80
mg to about 500 mg, and any and all whole or partial increments
therebetween.
[0152] In some embodiments, the dose of a compound of the invention
is from about 1 mg and about 2,500 mg. In some embodiments, a dose
of a compound of the invention used in compositions described
herein is less than about 10,000 mg, or less than about 8,000 mg,
or less than about 6,000 mg, or less than about 5,000 mg, or less
than about 3,000 mg, or less than about 2,000 mg, or less than
about 1,000 mg, or less than about 500 mg, or less than about 200
mg, or less than about 50 mg. Similarly, in some embodiments, a
dose of a second compound as described herein is less than about
1,000 mg, or less than about 800 mg, or less than about 600 mg, or
less than about 500 mg, or less than about 400 mg, or less than
about 300 mg, or less than about 200 mg, or less than about 100 mg,
or less than about 50 mg, or less than about 40 mg, or less than
about 30 mg, or less than about 25 mg, or less than about 20 mg, or
less than about 15 mg, or less than about 10 mg, or less than about
5 mg, or less than about 2 mg, or less than about 1 mg, or less
than about 0.5 mg, and any and all whole or partial increments
thereof.
[0153] In certain embodiments, the present invention is directed to
a packaged pharmaceutical composition comprising a container
holding a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of the
invention, alone or in combination with a second pharmaceutical
agent; and instructions for using the compound to treat, prevent,
or reduce one or more symptoms of a disease or disorder
contemplated in the invention.
[0154] Formulations may be employed in admixtures with conventional
excipients, i.e., pharmaceutically acceptable organic or inorganic
carrier substances suitable for oral, parenteral, nasal,
intravenous, subcutaneous, enteral, or any other suitable mode of
administration, known to the art. The pharmaceutical preparations
may be sterilized and if desired mixed with auxiliary agents, e.g.,
lubricants, preservatives, stabilizers, wetting agents,
emulsifiers, salts for influencing osmotic pressure buffers,
coloring, flavoring and/or aromatic substances and the like. They
may also be combined where desired with other active agents, e.g.,
other analgesic agents.
[0155] Routes of administration of any of the compositions of the
invention include, but are not limited to, nasal, inhalational,
topical, oral, buccal, rectal, pleural, peritoneal, vaginal,
intramuscular, subcutaneous, transdermal, epidural, intratracheal,
otic, intraocular, intrathecal or intravenous route. The compounds
for use in the invention may be formulated for administration by
any suitable route, such as for oral or parenteral, for example,
transdermal, transmucosal (e.g., sublingual, lingual,
(trans)buccal, (trans)urethral, vaginal (e.g., trans- and
perivaginally), (intra)nasal and (trans)rectal), intravesical,
intrapulmonary, intraduodenal, intragastrical, intrathecal,
subcutaneous, intramuscular, intradermal, intra-arterial,
intravenous, intrabronchial, inhalation, and topical
administration.
[0156] Suitable compositions and dosage forms include, for example,
tablets, capsules, caplets, pills, gel caps, troches, dispersions,
suspensions, solutions, syrups, granules, beads, transdermal
patches, gels, powders, pellets, magmas, lozenges, creams, pastes,
plasters, lotions, discs, suppositories, liquid sprays for nasal or
oral administration, dry powder or aerosolized formulations for
inhalation, compositions and formulations for intravesical
administration and the like. It should be understood that the
formulations and compositions that would be useful in the present
invention are not limited to the particular formulations and
compositions that are described herein.
Oral Administration
[0157] For oral application, particularly suitable are tablets,
dragees, liquids, drops, suppositories, or capsules, caplets and
gelcaps. The compositions intended for oral use may be prepared
according to any method known in the art and such compositions may
contain one or more agents selected from the group consisting of
inert, non-toxic pharmaceutically excipients that are suitable for
the manufacture of tablets. Such excipients include, for example an
inert diluent such as lactose; granulating and disintegrating
agents such as cornstarch; binding agents such as starch; and
lubricating agents such as magnesium stearate. The tablets may be
uncoated or they may be coated by known techniques for elegance or
to delay the release of the active ingredients. Formulations for
oral use may also be presented as hard gelatin capsules wherein the
active ingredient is mixed with an inert diluent.
[0158] For oral administration, the compounds of the invention may
be in the form of tablets or capsules prepared by conventional
means with pharmaceutically acceptable excipients such as binding
agents (e.g., polyvinylpyrrolidone, hydroxypropylcellulose or
hydroxypropylmethylcellulose); fillers (e.g., cornstarch, lactose,
microcrystalline cellulose or calcium phosphate); lubricants (e.g.,
magnesium stearate, talc, or silica); disintegrates (e.g., sodium
starch glycollate); or wetting agents (e.g., sodium lauryl
sulphate). If desired, the tablets may be coated using suitable
methods and coating materials such as OPADRY.TM. film coating
systems available from Colorcon, West Point, Pa. (e.g., OPADRY.TM.
OY Type, OYC Type, Organic Enteric OY-P Type, Aqueous Enteric OY-A
Type, OY-PM Type and OPADRY.TM. White, 32K18400). Liquid
preparation for oral administration may be in the form of
solutions, syrups or suspensions. The liquid preparations may be
prepared by conventional means with pharmaceutically acceptable
additives such as suspending agents (e.g., sorbitol syrup, methyl
cellulose or hydrogenated edible fats); emulsifying agent (e.g.,
lecithin or acacia); non-aqueous vehicles (e.g., almond oil, oily
esters or ethyl alcohol); and preservatives (e.g., methyl or propyl
p-hydroxy benzoates or sorbic acid).
[0159] Granulating techniques are well known in the pharmaceutical
art for modifying starting powders or other particulate materials
of an active ingredient. The powders are typically mixed with a
binder material into larger permanent free-flowing agglomerates or
granules referred to as a "granulation." For example, solvent-using
"wet" granulation processes are generally characterized in that the
powders are combined with a binder material and moistened with
water or an organic solvent under conditions resulting in the
formation of a wet granulated mass from which the solvent must then
be evaporated.
[0160] Melt granulation generally consists in the use of materials
that are solid or semi-solid at room temperature (i.e. having a
relatively low softening or melting point range) to promote
granulation of powdered or other materials, essentially in the
absence of added water or other liquid solvents. The low melting
solids, when heated to a temperature in the melting point range,
liquefy to act as a binder or granulating medium. The liquefied
solid spreads itself over the surface of powdered materials with
which it is contacted, and on cooling, forms a solid granulated
mass in which the initial materials are bound together. The
resulting melt granulation may then be provided to a tablet press
or be encapsulated for preparing the oral dosage form. Melt
granulation improves the dissolution rate and bioavailability of an
active (i.e. drug) by forming a solid dispersion or solid
solution.
[0161] U.S. Pat. No. 5,169,645 discloses directly compressible
wax-containing granules having improved flow properties. The
granules are obtained when waxes are admixed in the melt with
certain flow improving additives, followed by cooling and
granulation of the admixture. In certain embodiments, only the wax
itself melts in the melt combination of the wax(es) and
additives(s), and in other cases both the wax(es) and the
additives(s) melt.
[0162] The present invention also includes a multi-layer tablet
comprising a layer providing for the delayed release of one or more
compounds of the invention, and a further layer providing for the
immediate release of a medication for treatment of a disease or
disorder contemplated in the invention. Using a wax/pH-sensitive
polymer mix, a gastric insoluble composition may be obtained in
which the active ingredient is entrapped, ensuring its delayed
release.
Parenteral Administration
[0163] As used herein, "parenteral administration" of a
pharmaceutical composition includes any route of administration
characterized by physical breaching of a tissue of a subject and
administration of the pharmaceutical composition through the breach
in the tissue. Parenteral administration thus includes, but is not
limited to, administration of a pharmaceutical composition by
injection of the composition, by application of the composition
through a surgical incision, by application of the composition
through a tissue-penetrating non-surgical wound, and the like. In
particular, parenteral administration is contemplated to include,
but is not limited to, subcutaneous, intravenous, intraperitoneal,
intramuscular, intrastemal injection, and kidney dialytic infusion
techniques.
[0164] Formulations of a pharmaceutical composition suitable for
parenteral administration comprise the active ingredient combined
with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, such as sterile water
or sterile isotonic saline. Such formulations may be prepared,
packaged, or sold in a form suitable for bolus administration or
for continuous administration. Injectable formulations may be
prepared, packaged, or sold in unit dosage form, such as in ampules
or in multidose containers containing a preservative. Formulations
for parenteral administration include, but are not limited to,
suspensions, solutions, emulsions in oily or aqueous vehicles,
pastes, and implantable sustained-release or biodegradable
formulations. Such formulations may further comprise one or more
additional ingredients including, but not limited to, suspending,
stabilizing, or dispersing agents. In one embodiment of a
formulation for parenteral administration, the active ingredient is
provided in dry (i.e., powder or granular) form for reconstitution
with a suitable vehicle (e.g., sterile pyrogen-free water) prior to
parenteral administration of the reconstituted composition.
[0165] The pharmaceutical compositions may be prepared, packaged,
or sold in the form of a sterile injectable aqueous or oily
suspension or solution. This suspension or solution may be
formulated according to the known art, and may comprise, in
addition to the active ingredient, additional ingredients such as
the dispersing agents, wetting agents, or suspending agents
described herein. Such sterile injectable formulations may be
prepared using a non-toxic parenterally-acceptable diluent or
solvent, such as water or 1,3-butanediol, for example. Other
acceptable diluents and solvents include, but are not limited to,
Ringer's solution, isotonic sodium chloride solution, and fixed
oils such as synthetic mono- or di-glycerides. Other
parentally-administrable formulations which are useful include
those which comprise the active ingredient in microcrystalline
form, in a liposomal preparation, or as a component of a
biodegradable polymer system. Compositions for sustained release or
implantation may comprise pharmaceutically acceptable polymeric or
hydrophobic materials such as an emulsion, an ion exchange resin, a
sparingly soluble polymer, or a sparingly soluble salt.
Additional Administration Forms
[0166] Additional dosage forms of this invention include dosage
forms as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,340,475; 6,488,962;
6,451,808; 5,972,389; 5,582,837; and 5,007,790. Additional dosage
forms of this invention also include dosage forms as described in
U.S. Patent Applications Nos. 2003/0147952; 2003/0104062;
2003/0104053; 2003/0044466; 2003/0039688; and 2002/0051820.
Additional dosage forms of this invention also include dosage forms
as described in PCT Applications Nos. WO 03/35041; WO 03/35040; WO
03/35029; WO 03/35177; WO 03/35039; WO 02/96404; WO 02/32416; WO
01/97783; WO 01/56544; WO 01/32217; WO 98/55107; WO 98/11879; WO
97/47285; WO 93/18755; and WO 90/11757.
Controlled Release Formulations and Drug Delivery Systems
[0167] In certain embodiments, the formulations of the present
invention may be, but are not limited to, short-term, rapid-offset,
as well as controlled, for example, sustained release, delayed
release and pulsatile release formulations.
[0168] The term sustained release is used in its conventional sense
to refer to a drug formulation that provides for gradual release of
a drug over an extended period of time, and that may, although not
necessarily, result in substantially constant blood levels of a
drug over an extended time period. The period of time may be as
long as a month or more and should be a release that is longer that
the same amount of agent administered in bolus form.
[0169] For sustained release, the compounds may be formulated with
a suitable polymer or hydrophobic material which provides sustained
release properties to the compounds. As such, the compounds for use
the method of the invention may be administered in the form of
microparticles, for example, by injection or in the form of wafers
or discs by implantation.
[0170] In one embodiment of the invention, the compounds of the
invention are administered to a patient, alone or in combination
with another pharmaceutical agent, using a sustained release
formulation.
[0171] The term delayed release is used herein in its conventional
sense to refer to a drug formulation that provides for an initial
release of the drug after some delay following drug administration
and that may, although not necessarily, includes a delay of from
about 10 minutes up to about 12 hours.
[0172] The term pulsatile release is used herein in its
conventional sense to refer to a drug formulation that provides
release of the drug in such a way as to produce pulsed plasma
profiles of the drug after drug administration.
[0173] The term immediate release is used in its conventional sense
to refer to a drug formulation that provides for release of the
drug immediately after drug administration.
[0174] As used herein, short-term refers to any period of time up
to and including about 8 hours, about 7 hours, about 6 hours, about
5 hours, about 4 hours, about 3 hours, about 2 hours, about 1 hour,
about 40 minutes, about 20 minutes, or about 10 minutes and any or
all whole or partial increments thereof after drug administration
after drug administration.
[0175] As used herein, rapid-offset refers to any period of time up
to and including about 8 hours, about 7 hours, about 6 hours, about
5 hours, about 4 hours, about 3 hours, about 2 hours, about 1 hour,
about 40 minutes, about 20 minutes, or about 10 minutes, and any
and all whole or partial increments thereof after drug
administration.
Dosing
[0176] The therapeutically effective amount or dose of a compound
of the present invention depends on the age, sex and weight of the
patient, the current medical condition of the patient and the
progression of a disease or disorder contemplated in the invention.
The skilled artisan is able to determine appropriate dosages
depending on these and other factors.
[0177] A suitable dose of a compound of the present invention may
be in the range of from about 0.01 mg to about 5,000 mg per day,
such as from about 0.1 mg to about 1,000 mg, for example, from
about 1 mg to about 500 mg, such as about 5 mg to about 250 mg per
day. The dose may be administered in a single dosage or in multiple
dosages, for example from 1 to 4 or more times per day. When
multiple dosages are used, the amount of each dosage may be the
same or different. For example, a dose of 1 mg per day may be
administered as two 0.5 mg doses, with about a 12-hour interval
between doses.
[0178] It is understood that the amount of compound dosed per day
may be administered, in non-limiting examples, every day, every
other day, every 2 days, every 3 days, every 4 days, or every 5
days. For example, with every other day administration, a 5 mg per
day dose may be initiated on Monday with a first subsequent 5 mg
per day dose administered on Wednesday, a second subsequent 5 mg
per day dose administered on Friday, and so on.
[0179] In the case wherein the patient's status does improve, upon
the doctor's discretion the administration of the inhibitor of the
invention is optionally given continuously; alternatively, the dose
of drug being administered is temporarily reduced or temporarily
suspended for a certain length of time (i.e., a "drug holiday").
The length of the drug holiday optionally varies between 2 days and
1 year, including by way of example only, 2 days, 3 days, 4 days, 5
days, 6 days, 7 days, 10 days, 12 days, 15 days, 20 days, 28 days,
35 days, 50 days, 70 days, 100 days, 120 days, 150 days, 180 days,
200 days, 250 days, 280 days, 300 days, 320 days, 350 days, or 365
days. The dose reduction during a drug holiday includes from
10%-100%, including, by way of example only, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%,
30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%,
95%, or 100%.
[0180] Once improvement of the patient's conditions has occurred, a
maintenance dose is administered if necessary. Subsequently, the
dosage or the frequency of administration, or both, is reduced, as
a function of the disease or disorder, to a level at which the
improved disease is retained. In certain embodiments, patients
require intermittent treatment on a long-term basis upon any
recurrence of symptoms and/or infection.
[0181] The compounds for use in the method of the invention may be
formulated in unit dosage form. The term "unit dosage form" refers
to physically discrete units suitable as unitary dosage for
patients undergoing treatment, with each unit containing a
predetermined quantity of active material calculated to produce the
desired therapeutic effect, optionally in association with a
suitable pharmaceutical carrier. The unit dosage form may be for a
single daily dose or one of multiple daily doses (e.g., about 1 to
4 or more times per day). When multiple daily doses are used, the
unit dosage form may be the same or different for each dose.
[0182] Toxicity and therapeutic efficacy of such therapeutic
regimens are optionally determined in cell cultures or experimental
animals, including, but not limited to, the determination of the
LD.sub.50 (the dose lethal to 50% of the population) and the
ED.sub.50 (the dose therapeutically effective in 50% of the
population). The dose ratio between the toxic and therapeutic
effects is the therapeutic index, which is expressed as the ratio
between LD.sub.50 and ED.sub.50. The data obtained from cell
culture assays and animal studies are optionally used in
formulating a range of dosage for use in human. The dosage of such
compounds lies preferably within a range of circulating
concentrations that include the ED.sub.50 with minimal toxicity.
The dosage optionally varies within this range depending upon the
dosage form employed and the route of administration utilized.
[0183] Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to
ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, numerous
equivalents to the specific procedures, embodiments, claims, and
examples described herein. Such equivalents were considered to be
within the scope of this invention and covered by the claims
appended hereto. For example, it should be understood, that
modifications in reaction conditions, including but not limited to
reaction times, reaction size/volume, and experimental reagents,
such as solvents, catalysts, pressures, atmospheric conditions,
e.g., nitrogen atmosphere, and reducing/oxidizing agents, with
art-recognized alternatives and using no more than routine
experimentation, are within the scope of the present
application.
[0184] It is to be understood that wherever values and ranges are
provided herein, all values and ranges encompassed by these values
and ranges, are meant to be encompassed within the scope of the
present invention. Moreover, all values that fall within these
ranges, as well as the upper or lower limits of a range of values,
are also contemplated by the present application.
[0185] The following examples further illustrate aspects of the
present invention. However, they are in no way a limitation of the
teachings or disclosure of the present invention as set forth
herein.
EXPERIMENTAL EXAMPLES
[0186] The invention is now described with reference to the
following Examples. These Examples are provided for the purpose of
illustration only, and the invention is not limited to these
Examples, but rather encompasses all variations that are evident as
a result of the teachings provided herein.
Materials and Methods
[0187] In these studies Mus musculus; lean and diet-induced obese,
DIO, C57BL6/J mice are used. In certain embodiments, mice may be
used to study the ability of the peptides of the invention to
regulate blood glucose levels during a glucose tolerance test. Mice
are injected intraperitoneally using 28 gauge insulin syringes with
the peptides dissolved in saline, administered in a volume
corresponding to 0.5% of body mass. Mice are monitored following
compound administration for any signs of adverse reactions.
[0188] Thirty minutes after injection with the peptides, mice are
injected intraperitoneally with a sterile solution of 20% D-glucose
in saline (1-2 g/kg) using a 28 gauge insulin needle. Administered
volume of the saline glucose solution does not exceed 1% of body
mass (e.g., 0.3 mL for a 30 g mouse). Blood glucose measurements is
performed just prior to injection of the peptide (-30 minutes),
before glucose injection (0 minutes), and at 15, 30, 60, and 120
minutes after injection. Over the course of the 150 minute
experiment, a total of 30 .mu.L (5 .mu.L per time point) of blood
are collected. At the end of the measurement period, mice are
sacrificed by CO.sub.2 inhalation, and blood is collected to
measure residual peptide levels. In addition, a similar set of
experiments is performed, wherein the peptides are injected 300-360
minutes prior to glucose injection to determine whether thio
peptide has a longer half-life than the parent peptide.
[0189] Male mice that are at least 16 weeks, but younger than 24
weeks old, are used. For each condition (thio peptide, peptide, and
vehicle), 8 mice are used, for a total of 24 mice per
experiment.
Example 1
Selected Thioamide Studies
[0190] Thioamides can quench fluorophores such as methoxycoumarin
(Mcm, .mu.), and this quenching can be used to monitor protein
folding and stability (Goldberg, et al., 2014, J. Am. Chem. Soc.
135:2086-2093). Thioamides may be incorporated into peptides made
on solid phase using benzotriazole precursors like the thioleucine
precursor shown in FIG. 2. Thioamide-containing peptides of up to
35 residues can be synthesized in reasonable yields (.about.50% of
the corresponding oxoamide peptide), making synthesis of any of the
thioamide peptide hormones considered herein straightforward
(Goldberg, et al., 2010, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 132:14718-14720).
Thioamides can be used in fluorogenic constructs to monitor
proteolysis by relief of a quenching interaction (FIG. 2). Cleavage
of the substrate L'LKAA.mu. by papain is shown in FIG. 2. No change
in fluorescence was seen for the oxoamide (LLKAA.mu.), but it was
proteolyzed at the same rate as the thiopeptide in an HPLC assay.
The thioamide was not disruptive to proteolysis when placed at a
site two or three residues away from the scissile bond. Taken
together with the studies of thioamide suppression of proteolysis
when placed directly at the scissile bond, the data indicate that
the effect of the thioamide is very local. Additionally, studies of
the stability of thioamides in cell lysates using non-proteolyzable
D-amino acid thiopeptides indicated that they are not substantially
metabolized by other enzymes.
Example 2
In Vivo GLP-1 Activity Assays
[0191] Physiological assays are used to assess the activity of
thioamide variants of GLP-1 in regulating glucose control. The
activity and half-lives of GLP-1 and exenatide may be determined
using glucose tolerance tests (GTTs). In these experiments, mice
are injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) with the peptide 60 minutes
prior to administration of a glucose challenge (time=0 minutes).
Blood glucose levels are measured at -60, 0, 30, 60, 90 and 120
minutes. GLP-1 and exenatide greatly improved glucose tolerance and
led to significantly lower blood glucose levels at every time point
(FIG. 3, left). This demonstrate that GTTs may be used to measure
the in vivo activity of GLP-1 peptides, as well as thioamide
GLP-1.
[0192] In addition, a GTT may be used to measure changes in the
half-life of the bioactive peptides, by increasing the time between
the injection of the peptide and the injection of glucose. In an
experiment, GLP-1 or exenatide was injected, and then after 5.5
hours glucose was injected. During this waiting period GLP-1
underwent proteolysis and was inactivated, while exenatide retained
its activity. In this delayed protocol, measurement of blood
glucose levels 30 minutes after glucose injection showed much lower
blood glucose levels in exenatide-treated mice (p-value
<0.0001), as expected (FIG. 3, right). GLP-1-treated mice
experienced only a slight, statistically-insignificant
(p-value=0.13) lowering of blood glucose levels compared to
vehicle-treated mice. Similar delayed GTT assays are used to
determine whether thioamide-modified GLP-1 has increased stability
in vivo.
Example 3
Metabolic Stability of Thioamides
[0193] In order to shed light on the pharmaceutical applications of
thiopeptides, the stability of peptidyl thioamides toward
non-proteolytic degradation is examined. Degradation kinetics of
thiopeptides may be tested in PBS buffer, cell lysates, or mouse
serum. As a way to develop a stability assay that can be used in
cells, tests may be run using a cleavable biotin tag (Yang, et al.,
2010, Chem. Biol. 17:1212-1222) to recover the test peptides from
the mixture (FIG. 4). The test thiopeptide is labeled with an
alkyne group, which reacts selectively with the azido-diazo-biotin
(ADB) tag through a copper catalyzed "click" reaction. After the
appropriate incubation period, the ADB-tagged samples are purified
on neutravadin resin and eluted with Na.sub.2S.sub.2O.sub.4. The
eluent is then injected onto the HPLC for analysis. The
corresponding alkyne-labelled peptide is synthesized for
comparison.
[0194] Cell-penetrating versions of thioamides may be prepared by
appending a poly-Arg sequence. Versions of these peptides are
generated with fluorophores such as Acd to monitor cellular uptake
and localization (FIG. 4). In addition, changes in fluorescence
lifetime may be used in situ to track modifications of the
thioamide that would affect quenching of the fluorophore. Changes
in lifetime may be monitored in living cells using fluorescence
lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM). These peptides are incubated
with MEF and HeLa cells and peptide localization analyzed by
microscopy. After appropriate time points, cells are lysed and
pull-down assays are performed with ADB to analyze potential
thioamide metabolites by HPLC/MS.
Example 4
Proteolysis of GLP-1 and GLP-1 Analogs
[0195] As a step in the investigation, GLP-1 itself is studied. To
stabilize GLP-1, a thioamide bond can be placed between Ala.sub.8
and Glu.sub.9, which is the scissile bond of GLP 17-36 ("GLP-1").
In certain embodiments, GLP 19-36 was synthesized on a microwave
peptide synthesizer, and then coupled with a thioalanine precursor
and His manually. The oxoamide version of GLP-1 was synthesized to
serve as a control. Both peptides were synthesized, purified by
HPLC, and characterized by MALDI MS.
Example 5
Thio GLP-1 In Vitro Experiments
[0196] In certain embodiments, three assays are used to test the
stability of thio GLP-1 relative to GLP-1. First, in vitro
degradation assays are performed to determine the stability of thio
and oxo GLP-1 in the presence of DPP-4. Purified peptides are
incubated with DPP-4 in assay buffer for various time periods. The
reaction is quenched and the products are analyzed by HPLC to
determine the amount of intact peptide. MALDI MS is used to
determine the identities of HPLC peaks.
[0197] The degradation data indicate that the half-life of thio
GLP-1 is greater than 24 hours under conditions where the half-life
of GLP-1 is 21 minutes. As demonstrated in FIG. 5, single atom
substitution in GLP-1 conferred a roughly 100-fold increase in
stability.
[0198] In addition to HPLC and MS assays, the hydrolysis process
can also be monitored by time-resolved UV spectroscopy. Intact
thiopeptides exhibit characteristic UV absorption spectra with
.lamda..sub.max at 267 nm, while the .lamda..sub.max of hydrolyzed
product thioacid is at 251 nm (this peak disappears when the
thioacid further decomposes to the carboxylic acid and H.sub.2S).
Therefore, the change in absorbance of the reaction at 267 nm or
251 nm may reflect the loss of substrate. These assays may be
performed using the Tecan Infinite.RTM. M1000 plate reader. The
ability to monitor formation of the thioacid cleavage product in
real time aims in understanding the mechanism of the proteolysis
reaction. In certain embodiments, this information helps understand
how thioamide modification may be applied generally to stabilize
peptides.
[0199] Cleavage of the thioamide bond may be monitored by
time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy. The thioalanine residue
can quench the intrinsic fluorescence of Trp.sub.31 and Tyr.sub.19
in thio GLP-1. Cleavage of this bond may relieve quenching by PET
in a manner similar to the designed fluorogenic probes in the data
in FIG. 2. In this case, the thioamide is placed at the scissile
bond. Comparison of the fluorescence and absorbance experiments
further improves the understanding of thioamide cleavage.
[0200] To further describe the interaction between DPP-4 and thio
GLP-1, kinetic assays are performed to determine whether thio GLP-1
acts as a competitive inhibitor of DPP-4. Various concentrations of
thio GLP-1 are mixed with the same concentration of H-Ala-Pro-pNA,
a commercial chromogenic substrate of DPP-4. After addition of
catalytic amounts of DPP-4, the reaction may be monitored using the
M1000 plate reader. By plotting the relationship between V.sub.0
and the concentration of thio GLP-1 in a Lineweaver-Burk analysis,
the mechanism of thio GLP-1 inhibition may be determined.
Preliminary data indicate that thio GLP-1 acts as an inhibitor, and
has the unique attribute of simultaneously acting as both a
stabilized GLP-1R agonist and a DPP-4 inhibitor.
[0201] In certain embodiments, thioamide modification could
possibly affect the structure or activity of GLP-1. Circular
dichroism (CD) spectroscopy can be used to examine the secondary
structure of thio and oxo GLP-1 in the far UV region. As
illustrated in FIG. 5, right, the thioamide at Ala.sub.8 is not
disruptive to GLP-1 folding as the CD signatures are nearly
identical, with the notable exception that a small band
attributable to the thioamide can be seen at 270 nm in the thio
GLP-1 spectrum. The affinity and agonist activity of thio and oxo
GLP-1 at the human GLP-1R are determined separately to understand
the impact of thioamide modification at Ala.sub.8. These two
properties are often uncoupled, as in a partial agonist or
competitive inhibitor. Affinity is measured using competition
assays with fluorophore-labeled GLP-1. Activity is measured using
cAMP Hunter eXpress GPCR assay kits (DiscoveRx). Both assays may be
performed using the M1000 plate reader.
Example 6
Thio GLP-1 Cellular Experiments
[0202] The insulin secretion activity of thio GLP-1 is measured
directly using a GSIS assay (Tinoco, et al., 2011, Biochemistry
50:2213-2222). Insulin release in primary mouse islets is examined
using the batch release method. GLP-1 or thio GLP-1 is added at 100
nM final concentration to buffer containing basal (1.67 mM) or
stimulatory (16.7 mM) glucose concentrations. Islets are incubated
for one hour in the assay buffer at 37.degree. C. The supernatant
is then collected for insulin measurement using an ELISA,
calibrated with a standard curve. In certain embodiments, these
assays indicate whether (1) thio GLP-1 affects GSIS, and (2) how
this activity compares to GLP-1.
Example 7
Thio GLP-1 In Vivo Experiments
[0203] Bioactivity of the thioamide-modified peptides of the
invention is evaluated in mice. In a non-limiting example, thio
GLP-1 is tested in mice to determine whether it can reduce blood
glucose levels after a GTT. GTTs are performed using 12-20 week-old
mice, C57BL6/J wild type and Diet-Induced Obese (DIO) mice, after a
14-hour overnight fast. DIO mice are diabetic mouse models that
mimic human diabetes associated with weight gain, and experiments
with these animals test the ability of thio GLP-1 to improve
glucose tolerance in the context of a disease model. Mice (N=6-8
per group) are then injected i.p. with thio GLP-1, GLP-1 or
exenatide (positive controls), or vehicle (negative control). Blood
glucose levels are measured at -60, 0, 15, 30, 60, and 120 minutes
relative to glucose injection.
[0204] To determine whether thio GLP-1 has a longer in vivo
half-life than GLP-1, this experiment may be repeated with the
modification wherein a 5-6 hour delay is inserted between the
injection time and the start of the GTT. These animals are
sacrificed at the end of the experiment, and serum levels of thio
GLP-1 or GLP-1 are measured by LC-MS (Kim, et al., 2012, Proc.
Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 109:8523-8527).
Example 8
Thioamide Modification in GLP-1 Analogs
[0205] Studies are performed to determine whether thioamide
modification can act synergistically with other modifications to
stabilize GLP-1. Thio Lira, thio Ml, and thio M3 are prepared as
well as their oxamide counterparts (Table 1 and FIG. 1). For these
syntheses, in certain embodiments, new thioamide precursors such as
the Fmoc-benzotriazole version of .alpha. may be prepared. The same
battery of in vitro tests described for example in Examples 4-6 may
be applied to these thiopeptides to determine which peptides to
take forward to tests in animals.
Example 9
Additional Signaling Peptides
[0206] In addition to GLP-1, several other peptide hormones,
including GIP, OXM and BNP, play important roles in diabetes or
heart health. Thioamide versions of these peptides are synthesized
and then evaluated using the in vitro stability, folding, and
activity assays described elsewhere herein. To synthesize these
peptides, new thioamide precursors such as
Fmoc-thio-Ser(tBu)-benzotriazole and Fmoc-thio-Pro-benzotriazole
may be generated. Thiopeptides are tested in the DPP-4 degradation
assay to determine whether the stabilization of thioamide
modification could be broadly applied. Thio GIP may also be tested
in GSIS assays to determine whether it can retain its biological
function. GLP-1R and GIP or GCG receptor assays are performed to
test the function of thio GIP and thio OXM. Thio BNP activation of
natriuretic peptide receptor A may be performed using ELISA kits.
Thiopeptides may be further performed in vivo assays.
[0207] The disclosures of each and every patent, patent
application, and publication cited herein are hereby incorporated
herein by reference in their entirety. While this invention has
been disclosed with reference to specific embodiments, it is
apparent that other embodiments and variations of this invention
may be devised by others skilled in the art without departing from
the true spirit and scope of the invention. The appended claims are
intended to be construed to include all such embodiments and
equivalent variations.
Sequence CWU 1
1
61130PRTHomo sapiens 1His Ala Glu Gly Thr Phe Thr Ser Asp Val Ser
Ser Tyr Leu Glu Gly 1 5 10 15 Gln Ala Ala Lys Glu Phe Ile Ala Trp
Leu Val Lys Gly Arg 20 25 30 230PRTHomo
sapiensMISC_FEATURE(1)..(1)Xaa is histidine or phenylalanine 2Xaa
Xaa Glu Gly Thr Phe Thr Ser Asp Val Ser Ser Tyr Leu Glu Gly 1 5 10
15 Gln Ala Ala Lys Glu Phe Ile Ala Trp Leu Val Lys Gly Arg 20 25 30
338PRTHomo sapiens 3His Gly Glu Gly Thr Phe Thr Ser Asp Leu Ser Lys
Gln Met Glu Glu 1 5 10 15 Glu Ala Val Arg Leu Phe Ile Glu Trp Leu
Lys Asn Gly Gly Pro Ser 20 25 30 Ser Gly Ala Pro Pro Ser 35
430PRTHomo sapiens 4His Ala Glu Gly Thr Phe Thr Ser Asp Val Ser Ser
Tyr Leu Glu Gly 1 5 10 15 Gln Ala Ala Glu Phe Ile Ala Trp Leu Val
Arg Gly Arg Gly 20 25 30 542PRTHomo sapiens 5Tyr Ala Glu Gly Thr
Phe Ile Ser Asp Tyr Ser Ile Ala Met Asp Lys 1 5 10 15 Ile His Gln
Gln Asp Phe Val Asn Trp Leu Leu Ala Gln Lys Gly Lys 20 25 30 Lys
Asn Asp Trp Lys His Asn Ile Thr Gln 35 40 637PRTHomo sapiens 6His
Ser Gln Gly Thr Phe Thr Ser Asp Tyr Ser Lys Tyr Leu Asp Ser 1 5 10
15 Arg Arg Ala Gln Asp Phe Val Gln Trp Leu Met Asn Thr Lys Arg Asn
20 25 30 Arg Asn Asn Ile Ala 35 732PRTHomo sapiens 7Ser Pro Lys Met
Val Gln Gly Ser Gly Cys Phe Gly Arg Lys Met Asp 1 5 10 15 Arg Ile
Ser Ser Ser Ser Gly Leu Gly Cys Lys Val Leu Arg Arg His 20 25 30
830PRTHomo sapiensMISC_FEATURE(2)..(2)Xaa is dimethyl glycine 8His
Xaa Glu Gly Thr Phe Thr Ser Asp Val Ser Ser Tyr Leu Glu Gly 1 5 10
15 Gln Ala Ala Lys Glu Phe Ile Ala Trp Leu Val Lys Xaa Arg 20 25 30
930PRTHomo sapiensMISC_FEATURE(3)..(3)Xaa is t-butyl glycine 9His
Ala Xaa Gly Thr Phe Thr Ser Asp Val Ser Ser Tyr Leu Glu Gly 1 5 10
15 Gln Ala Ala Lys Glu Phe Ile Ala Trp Leu Val Lys Gly Arg 20 25 30
1030PRTHomo sapiensMISC_FEATURE(3)..(3)Xaa is beta, beta-dimethyl
aspartic acid 10His Ala Xaa Gly Thr Phe Thr Ser Asp Val Ser Ser Tyr
Leu Glu Gly 1 5 10 15 Gln Ala Ala Lys Glu Phe Ile Ala Trp Leu Val
Lys Gly Arg 20 25 30 1138PRTHomo sapiensMISC_FEATURE(1)..(1)Xaa is
histidine or phenylalanine 11Xaa Xaa Glu Gly Thr Phe Thr Ser Asp
Leu Ser Lys Gln Met Glu Glu 1 5 10 15 Glu Ala Val Arg Leu Phe Ile
Glu Trp Leu Lys Asn Gly Gly Pro Ser 20 25 30 Ser Gly Ala Pro Pro
Ser 35 1231PRTHomo sapiensMISC_FEATURE(1)..(1)Xaa is histidine or
phenylalanine 12Xaa Xaa Glu Gly Thr Phe Thr Ser Asp Val Ser Ser Tyr
Leu Glu Gly 1 5 10 15 Gln Ala Ala Xaa Glu Phe Ile Ala Trp Leu Val
Arg Gly Arg Gly 20 25 30 1342PRTHomo sapiensMISC_FEATURE(2)..(2)Xaa
is thio alanine 13Tyr Xaa Glu Gly Thr Phe Ile Ser Asp Tyr Ser Ile
Ala Met Asp Lys 1 5 10 15 Ile His Gln Gln Asp Phe Val Asn Trp Leu
Leu Ala Gln Lys Gly Lys 20 25 30 Lys Asn Asp Trp Lys His Asn Ile
Thr Gln 35 40 1437PRTHomo sapiensMISC_FEATURE(1)..(1)Xaa is
histidine or phenylalanine 14Xaa Xaa Gln Gly Thr Phe Thr Ser Asp
Tyr Ser Lys Tyr Leu Asp Ser 1 5 10 15 Arg Arg Ala Gln Asp Phe Val
Gln Trp Leu Met Asn Thr Lys Arg Asn 20 25 30 Arg Asn Asn Ile Ala 35
1532PRTHomo sapiensMISC_FEATURE(2)..(2)Xaa is thio proline 15Ser
Xaa Lys Met Val Gln Gly Ser Gly Cys Phe Gly Arg Lys Met Asp 1 5 10
15 Arg Ile Ser Ser Ser Ser Gly Leu Gly Cys Lys Val Leu Arg Arg His
20 25 30 1630PRTHomo sapiensMISC_FEATURE(1)..(1)Xaa is histidine or
phenylalanine 16Xaa Xaa Glu Gly Thr Phe Thr Ser Asp Val Ser Ser Tyr
Leu Glu Gly 1 5 10 15 Gln Ala Ala Lys Glu Phe Ile Ala Trp Leu Val
Lys Xaa Arg 20 25 30 1730PRTHomo sapiensMISC_FEATURE(1)..(1)Xaa is
histidine or phenylalanine 17Xaa Xaa Xaa Gly Thr Phe Thr Ser Asp
Val Ser Ser Tyr Leu Glu Gly 1 5 10 15 Gln Ala Ala Lys Glu Phe Ile
Ala Trp Leu Val Lys Gly Arg 20 25 30 1830PRTHomo
sapiensMISC_FEATURE(1)..(1)Xaa is histidine or phenylalanine 18Xaa
Xaa Xaa Gly Thr Phe Thr Ser Asp Val Ser Ser Tyr Leu Glu Gly 1 5 10
15 Gln Ala Ala Lys Glu Phe Ile Ala Trp Leu Val Lys Gly Arg 20 25 30
1930PRTHomo sapiens 19Phe Ala Glu Gly Thr Phe Thr Ser Asp Val Ser
Ser Tyr Leu Glu Gly 1 5 10 15 Gln Ala Ala Lys Glu Phe Ile Ala Trp
Leu Val Lys Gly Arg 20 25 30 2030PRTHomo
sapiensMISC_FEATURE(2)..(2)Xaa is thio alanine 20Phe Xaa Glu Gly
Thr Phe Thr Ser Asp Val Ser Ser Tyr Leu Glu Gly 1 5 10 15 Gln Ala
Ala Lys Glu Phe Ile Ala Trp Leu Val Lys Gly Arg 20 25 30
2129PRTHomo sapiens 21His Ser Gln Gly Thr Phe Thr Ser Asp Tyr Ser
Lys Tyr Leu Asp Ser 1 5 10 15 Arg Arg Ala Gln Asp Phe Val Gln Trp
Leu Met Asn Thr 20 25 2229PRTHomo sapiensMISC_FEATURE(1)..(1)Xaa is
histidine or phenylalanine 22Xaa Xaa Gln Gly Thr Phe Thr Ser Asp
Tyr Ser Lys Tyr Leu Asp Ser 1 5 10 15 Arg Arg Ala Gln Asp Phe Val
Gln Trp Leu Met Asn Thr 20 25 2336PRTHomo sapiens 23Tyr Pro Ser Lys
Pro Asp Asn Pro Gly Glu Asp Ala Pro Ala Glu Asp 1 5 10 15 Met Ala
Arg Tyr Tyr Ser Ala Leu Arg His Tyr Ile Asn Leu Ile Thr 20 25 30
Arg Gln Arg Tyr 35 2436PRTHomo sapiensMISC_FEATURE(2)..(2)Xaa is
thio proline 24Tyr Xaa Ser Lys Pro Asp Asn Pro Gly Glu Asp Ala Pro
Ala Glu Asp 1 5 10 15 Met Ala Arg Tyr Tyr Ser Ala Leu Arg His Tyr
Ile Asn Leu Ile Thr 20 25 30 Arg Gln Arg Tyr 35 2536PRTHomo sapiens
25Tyr Pro Ile Lys Pro Glu Ala Pro Gly Glu Asp Ala Ser Pro Glu Glu 1
5 10 15 Leu Asn Arg Tyr Tyr Ala Ser Leu Arg His Tyr Ile Asn Leu Ile
Thr 20 25 30 Arg Gln Arg Tyr 35 2636PRTHomo
sapiensMISC_FEATURE(2)..(2)X is thio proline 26Tyr Xaa Ile Lys Pro
Glu Ala Pro Gly Glu Asp Ala Ser Pro Glu Glu 1 5 10 15 Leu Asn Arg
Tyr Tyr Ala Ser Leu Arg His Tyr Ile Asn Leu Ile Thr 20 25 30 Arg
Gln Arg Tyr 35 2736PRTHomo sapiens 27Ala Pro Leu Glu Pro Val Tyr
Pro Gly Asp Asn Ala Thr Pro Glu Gln 1 5 10 15 Met Ala Gln Tyr Ala
Ala Asp Leu Arg Arg Tyr Ile Asn Met Leu Thr 20 25 30 Arg Pro Arg
Tyr 35 2836PRTHomo sapiensMISC_FEATURE(2)..(2)Xaa is thio proline
28Ala Xaa Leu Glu Pro Val Tyr Pro Gly Asp Asn Ala Thr Pro Glu Gln 1
5 10 15 Met Ala Gln Tyr Ala Ala Asp Leu Arg Arg Tyr Ile Asn Met Leu
Thr 20 25 30 Arg Pro Arg Tyr 35 2968PRTHomo sapiens 29Ser Pro Tyr
Ser Ser Asp Thr Thr Pro Cys Cys Phe Ala Tyr Ile Ala 1 5 10 15 Arg
Pro Leu Pro Arg Ala His Ile Lys Glu Tyr Phe Tyr Thr Ser Gly 20 25
30 Lys Cys Ser Asn Pro Ala Val Val Phe Val Thr Arg Lys Asn Arg Gln
35 40 45 Val Cys Ala Asn Pro Glu Lys Lys Trp Val Arg Glu Tyr Ile
Asn Ser 50 55 60 Leu Glu Met Ser 65 3068PRTHomo
sapiensMISC_FEATURE(2)..(2)Xaa is thio proline 30Ser Xaa Tyr Ser
Ser Asp Thr Thr Pro Cys Cys Phe Ala Tyr Ile Ala 1 5 10 15 Arg Pro
Leu Pro Arg Ala His Ile Lys Glu Tyr Phe Tyr Thr Ser Gly 20 25 30
Lys Cys Ser Asn Pro Ala Val Val Phe Val Thr Arg Lys Asn Arg Gln 35
40 45 Val Cys Ala Asn Pro Glu Lys Lys Trp Val Arg Glu Tyr Ile Asn
Ser 50 55 60 Leu Glu Met Ser 65 3168PRTHomo sapiens 31Gln Pro Asp
Ala Ile Asn Ala Pro Val Thr Cys Cys Tyr Asn Phe Thr 1 5 10 15 Asn
Arg Lys Ile Ser Val Gln Arg Leu Ala Ser Tyr Arg Arg Ile Thr 20 25
30 Ser Ser Lys Cys Pro Lys Glu Ala Val Ile Phe Lys Thr Ile Val Ala
35 40 45 Lys Glu Ile Cys Ala Asp Pro Lys Gln Lys Trp Val Gln Asp
Ser Met 50 55 60 Asp His Leu Asp 65 3268PRTHomo
sapiensMISC_FEATURE(2)..(2)Xaa is thio proline 32Gln Xaa Asp Ala
Ile Asn Ala Pro Val Thr Cys Cys Tyr Asn Phe Thr 1 5 10 15 Asn Arg
Lys Ile Ser Val Gln Arg Leu Ala Ser Tyr Arg Arg Ile Thr 20 25 30
Ser Ser Lys Cys Pro Lys Glu Ala Val Ile Phe Lys Thr Ile Val Ala 35
40 45 Lys Glu Ile Cys Ala Asp Pro Lys Gln Lys Trp Val Gln Asp Ser
Met 50 55 60 Asp His Leu Asp 65 3376PRTHomo sapiens 33Gln Pro Asp
Ser Val Ser Ile Pro Ile Thr Cys Cys Phe Asn Val Ile 1 5 10 15 Asn
Arg Lys Ile Pro Ile Gln Arg Leu Glu Ser Tyr Thr Arg Ile Thr 20 25
30 Asn Ile Gln Cys Pro Lys Glu Ala Val Ile Phe Lys Thr Lys Arg Gly
35 40 45 Lys Glu Val Cys Ala Asp Pro Lys Glu Arg Trp Val Arg Asp
Ser Met 50 55 60 Lys His Leu Asp Gln Ile Phe Gln Asn Leu Lys Pro 65
70 75 3476PRTHomo sapiensMISC_FEATURE(2)..(2)Xaa is thio proline
34Gln Xaa Asp Ser Val Ser Ile Pro Ile Thr Cys Cys Phe Asn Val Ile 1
5 10 15 Asn Arg Lys Ile Pro Ile Gln Arg Leu Glu Ser Tyr Thr Arg Ile
Thr 20 25 30 Asn Ile Gln Cys Pro Lys Glu Ala Val Ile Phe Lys Thr
Lys Arg Gly 35 40 45 Lys Glu Val Cys Ala Asp Pro Lys Glu Arg Trp
Val Arg Asp Ser Met 50 55 60 Lys His Leu Asp Gln Ile Phe Gln Asn
Leu Lys Pro 65 70 75 3576PRTHomo sapiens 35Gln Pro Val Gly Ile Asn
Thr Ser Thr Thr Cys Cys Tyr Arg Phe Ile 1 5 10 15 Asn Arg Lys Ile
Pro Lys Gln Arg Leu Glu Ser Tyr Arg Arg Thr Thr 20 25 30 Ser Ser
His Cys Pro Lys Glu Ala Val Ile Phe Lys Thr Lys Leu Asp 35 40 45
Lys Glu Ile Cys Ala Asp Pro Thr Gln Lys Trp Val Gln Asp Phe Met 50
55 60 Lys His Leu Asp Lys Lys Thr Gln Thr Pro Lys Leu 65 70 75
3676PRTHomo sapiensMISC_FEATURE(2)..(2)Xaa is thio proline 36Gln
Xaa Val Gly Ile Asn Thr Ser Thr Thr Cys Cys Tyr Arg Phe Ile 1 5 10
15 Asn Arg Lys Ile Pro Lys Gln Arg Leu Glu Ser Tyr Arg Arg Thr Thr
20 25 30 Ser Ser His Cys Pro Lys Glu Ala Val Ile Phe Lys Thr Lys
Leu Asp 35 40 45 Lys Glu Ile Cys Ala Asp Pro Thr Gln Lys Trp Val
Gln Asp Phe Met 50 55 60 Lys His Leu Asp Lys Lys Thr Gln Thr Pro
Lys Leu 65 70 75 3775PRTHomo sapiens 37Gln Pro Asp Ala Leu Asn Ala
Pro Val Thr Cys Cys Phe Thr Phe Ser 1 5 10 15 Ser Arg Lys Ile Ser
Leu Gln Arg Leu Lys Ser Tyr Val Ile Thr Thr 20 25 30 Ser Arg Cys
Pro Gln Lys Ala Val Ile Phe Arg Thr Lys Leu Gly Lys 35 40 45 Glu
Ile Cys Ala Asp Pro Lys Glu Lys Trp Val Gln Asn Tyr Met Lys 50 55
60 His Leu Gly Arg Lys Ala His Thr Leu Lys Thr 65 70 75 3875PRTHomo
sapiensMISC_FEATURE(2)..(2)Xaa is thio proline 38Gln Xaa Asp Ala
Leu Asn Ala Pro Val Thr Cys Cys Phe Thr Phe Ser 1 5 10 15 Ser Arg
Lys Ile Ser Leu Gln Arg Leu Lys Ser Tyr Val Ile Thr Thr 20 25 30
Ser Arg Cys Pro Gln Lys Ala Val Ile Phe Arg Thr Lys Leu Gly Lys 35
40 45 Glu Ile Cys Ala Asp Pro Lys Glu Lys Trp Val Gln Asn Tyr Met
Lys 50 55 60 His Leu Gly Arg Lys Ala His Thr Leu Lys Thr 65 70 75
3938PRTHomo sapiens 39His Ser Asp Gly Ile Phe Thr Asp Ser Tyr Ser
Arg Tyr Arg Lys Gln 1 5 10 15 Met Ala Val Lys Lys Tyr Leu Ala Ala
Val Leu Gly Lys Arg Tyr Lys 20 25 30 Gln Arg Val Lys Asn Lys 35
4038PRTHomo sapiensMISC_FEATURE(1)..(1)Xaa is histidine or
phenylalanine 40Xaa Xaa Asp Gly Ile Phe Thr Asp Ser Tyr Ser Arg Tyr
Arg Lys Gln 1 5 10 15 Met Ala Val Lys Lys Tyr Leu Ala Ala Val Leu
Gly Lys Arg Tyr Lys 20 25 30 Gln Arg Val Lys Asn Lys 35 4128PRTHomo
sapiens 41His Ser Asp Ala Val Phe Thr Asp Asn Tyr Thr Arg Leu Arg
Lys Gln 1 5 10 15 Met Ala Val Lys Lys Tyr Leu Asn Ser Ile Leu Asn
20 25 4228PRTHomo sapiensMISC_FEATURE(1)..(1)Xaa is histidine or
phenylalanine 42Xaa Xaa Asp Ala Val Phe Thr Asp Asn Tyr Thr Arg Leu
Arg Lys Gln 1 5 10 15 Met Ala Val Lys Lys Tyr Leu Asn Ser Ile Leu
Asn 20 25 4344PRTHomo sapiens 43Tyr Ala Asp Ala Ile Phe Thr Asn Ser
Tyr Arg Lys Val Leu Gly Gln 1 5 10 15 Leu Ser Ala Arg Lys Leu Leu
Gln Asp Ile Met Ser Arg Gln Gln Gly 20 25 30 Glu Ser Asn Gln Glu
Arg Gly Ala Arg Ala Arg Leu 35 40 4444PRTHomo
sapiensMISC_FEATURE(2)..(2)Xaa is thio alanine 44Tyr Xaa Asp Ala
Ile Phe Thr Asn Ser Tyr Arg Lys Val Leu Gly Gln 1 5 10 15 Leu Ser
Ala Arg Lys Leu Leu Gln Asp Ile Met Ser Arg Gln Gln Gly 20 25 30
Glu Ser Asn Gln Glu Arg Gly Ala Arg Ala Arg Leu 35 40 4529PRTHomo
sapiens 45Tyr Ala Asp Ala Ile Phe Thr Asn Ser Tyr Arg Lys Val Leu
Gly Gln 1 5 10 15 Leu Ser Ala Arg Lys Leu Leu Gln Asp Ile Met Ser
Arg 20 25 4629PRTHomo sapiensMISC_FEATURE(2)..(2)Xaa is thio
alanine 46Tyr Xaa Asp Ala Ile Phe Thr Asn Ser Tyr Arg Lys Val Leu
Gly Gln 1 5 10 15 Leu Ser Ala Arg Lys Leu Leu Gln Asp Ile Met Ser
Arg 20 25 475PRTHomo sapiens 47Ala Pro Gly Pro Arg 1 5 485PRTHomo
sapiensMISC_FEATURE(2)..(2)Xaa is thio proline 48Ala Xaa Gly Pro
Arg 1 5 4944PRTHomo sapiensMISC_FEATURE(1)..(1)Xaa is
(E)-hex-3-enoyltyrosine 49Xaa Ala Asp Ala Ile Phe Thr Asn Ser Tyr
Arg Lys Val Leu Gly Gln 1 5 10 15 Leu Ser Ala Arg Lys Leu Leu Gln
Asp Ile Met Ser Arg Gln Gln Gly
20 25 30 Glu Ser Asn Gln Glu Arg Gly Ala Arg Ala Arg Leu 35 40
5044PRTHomo sapiensMISC_FEATURE(1)..(1)Xaa is
(E)-hex-3-enoyltyrosine 50Xaa Xaa Asp Ala Ile Phe Thr Asn Ser Tyr
Arg Lys Val Leu Gly Gln 1 5 10 15 Leu Ser Ala Arg Lys Leu Leu Gln
Asp Ile Met Ser Arg Gln Gln Gly 20 25 30 Glu Ser Asn Gln Glu Arg
Gly Ala Arg Ala Arg Leu 35 40 515PRTHomo
sapiensMISC_FEATURE(2)..(2)Xaa is thio proline 51Ala Xaa Gly Xaa
Arg 1 5 528PRTHomo sapiensMISC_FEATURE(1)..(1)Xaa is
L-(7-methoxycoumarin-4-yl)alanine 52Xaa Leu Leu Lys Ala Ala Ala Xaa
1 5 538PRTHomo sapiensMISC_FEATURE(1)..(1)Xaa is
L-(7-methoxycoumarin-4-yl)alanine 53Xaa Xaa Leu Lys Ala Ala Ala Xaa
1 5 548PRTHomo sapiensMISC_FEATURE(1)..(1)Xaa is
L-(7-methoxycoumarin-4-yl)alanine 54Xaa Leu Xaa Lys Ala Ala Ala Xaa
1 5 558PRTHomo sapiensMISC_FEATURE(1)..(1)Xaa is
L-(7-methoxycoumarin-4-yl)alanine 55Xaa Leu Leu Xaa Ala Ala Ala Xaa
1 5 568PRTHomo sapiensMISC_FEATURE(1)..(1)Xaa is
L-(7-methoxycoumarin-4-yl)alanine 56Xaa Leu Leu Lys Xaa Ala Ala Xaa
1 5 578PRTHomo sapiensMISC_FEATURE(1)..(1)Xaa is
L-(7-methoxycoumarin-4-yl)alanine 57Xaa Leu Leu Lys Ala Xaa Ala Xaa
1 5 588PRTHomo sapiensMISC_FEATURE(1)..(1)Xaa is
L-(7-methoxycoumarin-4-yl)alanine 58Xaa Leu Leu Lys Ala Ala Xaa Xaa
1 5 596PRTHomo sapiensMISC_FEATURE(1)..(1)Xaa is thio leucine 59Xaa
Leu Lys Ala Ala Xaa 1 5 609PRTHomo sapiensMISC_FEATURE(4)..(4)Xaa
is thio leucine 60Ala Lys Gly Xaa Ala Ala Phe Ala Xaa 1 5
619PRTHomo sapiensMISC_FEATURE(9)..(9)Xaa is
L-(7-methoxycoumarin-4-yl)alanine 61Ala Lys Gly Leu Ala Ala Phe Ala
Xaa 1 5
* * * * *